Special Supplement: Changchun sculpture show bridges East and West

By Yang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-08 07:31

After having successfully hostied the Changchun International Sculpture Exhibition eight times since the event began in 1997, this year's artistic festival opened at the capital of Jilin province on September 6. It lasted two days.

Liu Tianfu, vice-director of Changchun's urban planning bureau, said the exhibition has attracted more than 390 sculptures by 370 artists from 72 countries.

"We invited artists from another 30 countries that have not participated in the exhibition before," he said.

"The exhibition this year set a record in scale - larger than ever," Liu said.

"The ninth exhibition attracted much more countries and regions than the previous ones, more than 300 artists and over 300 sculptures, all of which will rank the park the top in the world of its kind."

A number of sculpture specialists, scholars and government officials also attended the event. Changchun Mayor Cui Jie delivered a speech at the exhibition.

After a three-year effort from Chinese authorities and an overseas museum, an approved copy of the renowned sculpture The Thinker by French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is on display at the World Sculpture Park. "Since the park has sculptures from many countries, we will continue increasing the collection of works by world-class masters. Therefore, the Rodin is a great start," Liu said.

The China Sculpture Exhibition is the largest of its kind in the nation this year.

The contributions by artists could not be completed without the help of manufacturing enterprises, so an exhibition focused on them was also held. Twenty top Chinese sculptors also had their works to the exhibition.

"Changchun is advanced in its sculpture culture through its decade-long experience," said Mayor Cui, adding the event draws participants like the city's agriculture expo, motor show and movie festival do, but differs in its intent and impact.

Once a city has developed to a certain level, it should encourage development of not only its economy, but also its culture, he said.

"As we all know, the movie festival that has finished not long ago lasted for five days. It was sensational, but the sculpture exhibition leaves us with lasting artwork, " Cui said.

(China Daily 09/08/2008 page11)