On Dec 20th, “New Journey of China Porcelain, New Ceramics Art”- 2023 Exhibition for the Works of IAC Chinese Members is held at the Beijing Guozhong Ceramic Art Museum. This exhibition is hosted by the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC in short), organized by China Ceramic Industry Association, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Academy of Arts, Jingdezhen Ceramic University and Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, sponsored by Beijing Guozhong Ceramic Art Museum. It is to promote the academic exchanges of ceramic artists from China and abroad, as well as the innovation and development of modern and contemporary ceramic art.

The incomparable regularity, breadth and depth of ceramic, different from any other materials, indicating that the beauty is among people’s daily life. In the long history, Ceramic has shown the irreplaceable charm and functions, to make the civilization of human beings shining and make human beings’ lives colorful. With the background of 10 years’ anniversary of “One Belt One Road” Initiative, this exhibition displays new art works of IAC Chinese members, showing the dynamic speculations and achievements of the excellent artists who are active on the China Ceramic Art Stage.

According to the organizers, the art works on this exhibition are selected from more than 100 pieces/sets which offered by more than 80 Chinese members of IAC, for ceramic artists to evaluate and communicate with each other. We could found diversities almost everywhere in these art works from the subjects, the forms, the colors, the structures to the textures, etc., the artists draw inspiration from contemporary art concepts, explore and innovate artistic expressions and aesthetic tastes with contemporary forms, and promote the personalized, diversified, and international development of pottery.

At the opening ceremony, Zheng Zhi, Chairman and Chief Beijing Yuanyang Investment Group, Wan Liya, Director of the IAC, China Representative, Ma Sai, Dean of the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University and Vice Chairman of the China Arts and Crafts Society, Lv Pinchang, Deputy Secretary and Vice President of the Party Committee of Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jacques Kaufman, Director of the Beijing Guozhong Ceramic Art Museum and Honorary Chairman of the IAC, Du Tonghe, Vice President of the China Light Industry Federation and Chairman of the China Ceramic Industry Association, former Vice Minister of Culture, Dean of the China Academy of Arts, Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, Torbjørn Kvasbø, Chairman of the IAC, as well as representatives of participating artists from the IAC, delivered speeches. Zhang Chonghe, President of the China Light Industry Federation, delivered a speech and announced the opening of the exhibition.

郑志表示，此次活动意义重大，是国际陶艺学会自1952年成立以来，首次专门为中国会员举办如此高水平陶瓷艺术作品展览和陶瓷学术活动，参展艺术家从当代艺术观念中汲取灵感，探索具有当代形态的艺术表达和审美趣味，代表了中国当代陶瓷艺术的较高水准，为观众带来一场耳目一新、颇具震撼力的艺术盛筵。

Zheng Zhi stated that this event is of great significance. It is the first time since the establishment of the International Academy of Ceramics in 1952 to hold such a high-level ceramic art exhibition and ceramic academic activity specifically for Chinese members. The participating artists draw inspiration from contemporary art concepts, explore artistic expressions and aesthetic tastes with contemporary forms, represent the high level of contemporary Chinese ceramic art, and bring a refreshing experience to the audience a stunning art feast.

Wan Liya also mentioned that this event is of great significance for opening a new stage of cultural exchange between China and international ceramics. As of now, China has a total of 113 individual and group members of the IAC, making China the country with the most members of the academy. The International Academy of Ceramics has also become an important channel for exchanges between China and the international ceramic culture and art field. At present, the International Academy of Ceramics is actively seeking and exploring broader ways to promote and exchange international ceramic culture, striving to provide more and better opportunities and platforms for international exchanges among our members. We also hope that all members will actively participate in international ceramic art activities, play a positive role in promoting international ceramic cultural exchange, protecting and promoting the development of world cultural diversity.

Ma Sai stated in his speech that after visiting the exhibition, he had a special feeling, which went beyond people's cognition and understanding of ceramics. The works on display included both traditional utensils and more extensive artistic creation with raw materials such as ceramic clay glaze, which presented a very diverse form. For example, Master Guo Aihe made his cognition of Tri color glaze pottery of Tang Dynasty from the Tang Tri colored glaze, which created a new connection between the simply expressed glaze and the space environment. In fact, many participating artists not only focus on the field of ceramics, but also on obtaining nutrients from other art fields, resulting in some new forms of artistic expression. At present, this exhibition shows us that artists from countries of ceramic origin using traditional ceramic materials to create artworks, presenting a vibrant appearance. This is also a manifestation of a new development trend in the field of Chinese ceramics.

Lv Pinchang believes that the history of porcelain is a history of global dialogue, and its significant impact on manufacturing technology, lifestyle, cultural trends, and other aspects is bidirectional and enormous. This can be interpreted as the great historical significance of the ceramic road. The true core is the completion of a cultural cycle of the East and West integration. If ancient Chinese ceramics connected the world through the Silk Road, in contemporary China, ceramics bear the mission of bringing the distance between Eastern and Western civilizations back together. Today, Chinese ceramic artists in the family of the International Ceramic Society have shown unprecedented growth and activity in terms of membership, creative achievements, and academic activities in exhibitions. Contemporary Chinese ceramic artists, with a spirit of inclusiveness and accumulation, global cognitive spirit, an innovative spirit of exploring the unknown, and a confident and open Chinese spirit, embody the spirit of integration. We have established a new ideology that conforms to contemporary aesthetic requirements and the new ideology of art, and are endowing contemporary ceramic art with unprecedented significance. It is reasonable to believe that the prosperous development of Chinese ceramic art will be beneficial to the construction of contemporary world culture and help the international ceramic industry.

Jacques Kaufman said that from the works exhibited by several generations of ceramic figures, it can be seen that 1/4 of the artists are female, and 3/4 of the artists are male, indicating that women have more voice expression in terms of gender. In addition, the metaverse is also a new way of mutual communication, not only conducting academic dialogue and exchange among IAC members in China, but also synchronously broadcasting this exhibition live on and off line through the metaverse. This is the first time that the metaverse has been used for display, and there is digital translation, which enables members from all over the world to have better communication.

During the exhibition, the "Future of Ceramic Art" themed forum was held online and offline simultaneously. Lv Pinchang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of Jingdezhen Ceramic University, presided over the forum, and 100 experts and scholars participating in the forum, as well as representatives from online IAC members, delivered speeches around the theme. It is particularly worth mentioning that this exhibition adopts the latest technology of the Guozhong Ceramic Art Museum - the "Metaverse" platform of ceramic art, which is synchronously broadcasted globally. The exhibition will continue until January 10, 2024, and members of the IAC from around the world can log in to the website of the Guozhong Ceramic Museum to watch the opening ceremony and live forum of the exhibition online.

It is reported that the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) is an official non-governmental organization of UNESCO, representing the highest level of contemporary ceramic art in the world. The purpose of the society is to encourage cultural harmony through global ceramic exchange, provide opportunities for communication and exchange among ceramic artists, museums, galleries, collectors, schools, and other professional institutions, and promote the development of contemporary ceramic art. The International Academy of Ceramics has over 1000 individual and group members, representing 78 countries or regions from various continents. China has 113 individual and group members (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan).

(Photographer: Li Yiyi)