'Chang'an Elegant Gathering | The Creative Mind & Dexterous Hands: A Celebration of Ingenuity and Artistry' Held in Beijing
On August 2, 2024, the event "Chang'an Elegant Gathering | The Creative Mind & Dexterous Hands: A Celebration of Ingenuity and Artistry" was held at the Cultural Space of Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center. This event featured Lang Jiaziyu, a '95s artist and the third-generation inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Beijing "Dough Figurine Lang". Lang shared the heritage and evolution of dough figurine craftsmanship, offering attendees a fascinating look into its rich history and colorful present.
Tradition and Innovation:
Traditional Craftsmanship Embraces Modern Developments
Dough Figurine Art
Dough figurine art is a unique Chinese folk craft. It involves using ingredients like wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, honey, and glycerin to create colorful doughs, which are then skillfully shaped into miniature figures of people, animals, and birds. Historically, these figurines were often given as gifts or used as offerings during festivals and celebrations to bring good fortune.
Event Highlights
At the event, Lang Jiaziyu introduced the themes, aesthetic innovations, and international reach of Dough Figurine Lang's art. He emphasized that each generation brings new elements worth remembering and showcasing, and incorporating contemporary and popular culture into dough figurine art is a common trait of exceptional craftsmanship.
As a young inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage, Lang Jiaziyu not only continues to develop the "Dough Figurine Lang" tradition but also explores ways to attract new followers. Since 2019, Lang Jiaziyu has developed the "Dough Figurine Lang" brand across various media platforms, honing in on more focused and relevant content. His dough figurine creations highlight people and themes that resonate with the younger generation. Lang's first video on Douyin, "Here Comes Nezha", received 129,000 likes, and his total follower count across all platforms has surpassed 2.4 million. More and more young people are becoming interested in intangible cultural heritage and appreciating the artistic charm and cultural value of traditional Chinese art.
Lang Jiaziyu believes that preserving traditional crafts does not mean remaining unchanged. When the themes of the art are relevant to contemporary life, the art form itself becomes vibrant. By leveraging everything our era has to offer and connecting with the present and the public, intangible cultural heritage like dough figurine art can break through niche barriers and gain wider recognition.
Distinctive Ingenuity of Intangible Cultural Heritage:
Experiencing the Charm of Chinese Traditional Arts
Hands-On Experience
Under the guidance of Lang Jiaziyu, guests had the chance to create their own dough figurine artworks. Using black and white dough, they crafted "baby pandas". Lang's panda design was previously presented as a gift to the mother of French President Macron during the "Hello, China!" cultural exchange event in February 2024. Despite being a "beginner-level" project, it proved quite challenging. Guests noted that by trying it themselves, they gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in preserving ancient intangible cultural heritage in today's world.
Technology Empowerment:
Building an Immersive Space of Dough Figurine Art
Holographic Dough Figurine Artwork:
"Sima Guang Smashing the Water Vat to Save a Friend"
The fusion of traditional art with modern technology is crucial for connecting with contemporary audiences and embracing the future. Since the 1950s, dough figurine art has been showcased nationally and across the world. Traditional artists, while maintaining their dedication to craftsmanship, are also eager to infuse new life into this time-honored art form.
Unveiling a New Chapter:
Chang'an Elegant Gathering Launches Its First-Ever Art Themed Exhibition
Exhibition Highlights
Since its inception, the Chang'an Elegant Gathering project, launched by Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center, has hosted over 23 themed events. This time, in collaboration with the National Intangible Cultural Heritage "Dough Figurine Lang", the project presents for the first time ever the "Chang'an Elegant Gathering | A Centennial Stroll: Dough Figurine Lang Family Works Exhibition". The exhibition comprises five sections: "Fruits of the Agricultural Civilization", "Footage: Beijing Dough Figurine Lang", "The Golden Age of Handicrafts", "Family Legacy of Dough Figurine Art", and "Dough Figurine Lang in Contemporary Context", showcasing 77 pieces in total. Visitors can journey through a century of dough figurine art, understanding its development, the challenges of heritage preservation, and the mission of “traditional artists” in the modern era. The exhibition runs until August 30, 2024. We look forward to your visit.
(Source: Official WeChat account of Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center)
