Shanghai's art exhibition with intangible landmarks
The exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai features seals created by amateur engravers depicting the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
An ongoing exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai, features 15 intangible cultural heritage landmarks along the Beijing Central Axis presented on more than 260 seals.
The Beijing Central Axis is a historical and cultural landmark running 7.8 kilometers from north to south through the heart of Beijing, which was fully formed by the 16th century. It cuts through a series of imperial palaces, ceremonial structures and gardens in the center of the capital.
Going on from April 30 to June 1, the event marks the first leg of the touring exhibition after its debut in Beijing last year, when the Beijing Central Axis was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.
The exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai features seals created by amateur engravers depicting the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Seal engraving is a traditional Chinese art form that combines calligraphy and engraving to create seals. According to Fan Di'an, chairman of the China Artists' Association, the exhibition has brought together a colorful series of works that adopt new designs, materials and contents, reflecting the innovation of seal engraving.
As visitors step into the exhibition hall, they are greeted with a 1:1,000 model of the Beijing Central Axis, with 15 celebrated heritage sites represented, such as the Bell Tower, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.
Visitors appreciate seal engravings featuring the World Heritage Site of the Beijing Central Axis at the ongoing exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Aside from more than 200 seals featuring the natural and humanistic landscape of the these cultural heritage and the Beijing Central Axis, as well as their historical and cultural significance and architectural composition, the exhibits also include about 60 seals about Shanghai's development and culture, which were created by students, amateur engravers, among others.
The exhibition also features the gavel used by the President of the World Heritage Committee on July 27, 2024, when the World Heritage Committee deliberated on the approval of the Beijing Central Axis as a World Heritage Site.
Visitors appreciate seal engravings featuring the World Heritage Site of the Beijing Central Axis at the ongoing exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]