On August 8, China World Mall, in collaboration with the Yeli Youth Art Museum, has launched a groundbreaking cultural event that transcends ancient and modern, East and West. The global premiere of the phenomenal exhibition, Elegant Charm: An Eastern Renaissance, which for the first time merges with a commercial complex, reinterprets an ancient, highly esteemed state of being by integrating it with China World Mall’s unique cultural heritage. This event also supports the Beijing CBD Forum series of activities.
The opening ceremony was attended by leaders and guests from various sectors, including China World Center management: Mr. Huang Guoxiang, Chairman; Mr. Zhi Luxun, General Manager; Mr. Zhong Rongming, Deputy General Manager; Ms. Hu Yanmin, Deputy General Manager; Ms. Liang Xiaodan, Assistant General Manager; Mr. Sun Guowei, Assistant General Manager; and Ms. Jing Chun, Director of China World Mall. Representatives from the CBD Management Committee, including Mr. Wu Di, Deputy Director, and Ms. Zhou Ying, Deputy Director, were also present.
The exhibition was inaugurated with a powerful dance performance titled ‘Dance of Elegant Charm’ by dancer Niu Dongyan. The rich physical expression, set to the tune of Wang Lu’s "Jiu Kuang,” allowed the audience to experience the free-spiritedness and scholarly integrity of ancient elegant figures.
Following the performance, Mr. Zhong Rongming, Deputy General Manager of China International Trade Center Co., Ltd., delivered a welcoming speech. He stated that China World Center has always upheld the philosophy of ‘commercial and humanistic coexistence,’ and is dedicated to creating a quality living space that integrates fashion, culture, and art. Mr. Zhong expressed his hope that this global premiere of the ‘Elegant Charm’ exhibition would bring art into daily life, allow tradition to dialogue with the contemporary, and provide every visitor with a unique cultural experience.
The event was also attended by participating artists, seven intangible cultural heritage artists, as well as many VIP brand guests and media friends, who witnessed this extraordinary moment. The opening ceremony, filled with traditional Eastern festive charm, commenced with a ceremonial gong. Afterwards, Ye Fei, the curator of the Yeli Youth Art Museum, led a guided tour of the exhibition for the guests.
Attendees were among the first to experience this immersive Eastern cultural event, which included: a 27-meter-long LEGO street scene of the Along the River During the Qingming Festival by pixel artist Hong Zijiang; an installation titled Ode to Spring in All Seasons by installation artist Zhilin; a contemporary Thangka painting Eight Auspicious Symbols by artist Zelang Dengzhu; and the art installation Contemplating the Self by artist Shi Bin. The audience was captivated by these creative and aesthetically pleasing art installations, taking photos to capture these precious ‘Elegant Charm’ moments.
This event is the first large-scale cultural experience organized by a high-end commercial complex in China with ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage Revitalization’ at its core. Through three main sections – 'The Grand Exhibition, The Workshops, and The Elegant Gathering’ – it deeply integrates millennia-old intangible cultural heritage skills with contemporary art, fostering an innovative ecosystem where art and commerce mutually enrich each other and injecting new cultural vitality into the Beijing CBD.
I. A New Landmark of Guochao: Bringing Intangible Cultural Heritage to Life in a Commercial Setting
Opened in 1990, China World Mall is a benchmark of China's commercial development over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, and a leader in the capital’s core business district. Upholding the core philosophy of ‘innovation drives development,’ the mall has continuously led the transformation of high-end commercial complexes. Over the years, China World Mall has not only witnessed China's rapid commercial growth but also, with the support of government-enterprise collaboration, has actively responded to various policies promoting consumption, vigorously supported the development of ‘Guochao’ (China chic) brands, and continuously promoted high-quality cultural and artistic activities.
The global premiere of the ‘Elegant Charm: An Eastern Renaissance’ exhibition is not only a grand cultural showcase but also a landmark practice for China World Mall to leverage commercial real estate to empower the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and reconstruct cultural consumption scenarios. By deeply integrating intangible cultural heritage skills into brand stores, creating an innovative ‘intangible cultural heritage + commerce’ ecosystem, the mall further solidifies its leading position as one of ‘China’s high-end commercial landmark.’ This provides consumers with a brand new, high-quality cultural consumption experience and promotes consumption upgrades.
II. Highlights of the Event
‘Enjoying’ the Elegant Charm: The Grand Exhibition
The exhibition features six international artists and teams (pixel artist Hong Zijiang from Hong Kong, sustainable installation artist Zhilin, Thangka artist Zelang Dengzhu, installation artist Shi Bin, Zhang Teng, the principal of Wencheng Hall Ancient Furniture Restoration and Preservation Studio, Zhao Chunxiang, the principal of the Microscopic Art Museum, and the artist team of Yeli Youth Art Museum). It is divided into four curatorial units: Elegant and Unrestrained, Unity of Heaven and Humanity, Riding the Wind, and Unconventional.
The six installations on display are inspired by traditional elements such as ink wash painting, calligraphy, and Thangka, skillfully translating Eastern aesthetic wisdom to deliver a powerful visual and spiritual experience for the audience. Additionally, the exhibition features a LEGO brick rendition of Along the River During the Qingming Festival, showcasing the subtle influence of Eastern aesthetics on Western fashion.
The installations break the traditional commercial use of the space, transforming it into a cultural carrier. Through immersive scenes, they create an artistic atmosphere that traverses ancient and modern times, making the mall full of tension and vitality.
‘Playing’ with the Elegant Charm: The Workshops
During the exhibition, ten national-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and one installation artist have been specially invited to participate. They will collaborate deeply with several international luxury brands within China World Mall to personally teach skills such as Jing embroidery, shadow puppetry, velvet flowers, random-stitch embroidery, and snuff bottle painting. This gives consumers the opportunity to experience the charm and warmth of these traditional crafts up close. China World Mall is dedicated to promoting intangible cultural heritage to protect the spiritual genes of Chinese traditional culture, allowing these skills to enter brand spaces and continue to flourish with the support of commerce.
‘Wandering’ with the Elegant Charm: The Elegant Gathering
Throughout the event, China World Mall has innovatively created a bustling market scene reminiscent of Bianjing (the capital of the Song Dynasty), transcending time and space. The event features carefully selected food, drinks, and entertainment, with original Song-style flower carts and staff dressed in Song Dynasty attire. This perfectly recreates the aesthetic of Song Dynasty life, making visitors feel as if they have traveled a thousand years back in time to immerse themselves in the prosperity and elegance of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Until Sept 14
China World Mall, No.1 Jianguomenwaidajie, Chaoyang
[All images are courtesy of China World Mall]
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