The First China Paleoart Contest and Science and Art Innovation Summit opened in Beijing on Aug 8, as a national professional competition in the field of scientific paleontological reconstruction in China. The event was co-hosted by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The competition features three categories: skeletal reconstruction models of ancient vertebrates, paleontological ecological reconstruction models, and scientific illustration. Since the call for submissions began in April, it has attracted more than 500 creators from across the country, with over 100 works selected for the first on-site exhibition. The judging criteria combine scientific accuracy and artistic quality, with awards including gold, silver, and bronze prizes in different categories, as well as honorable mentions, the Best Artistic Expression Award, and a special award for the youth group. An awards ceremony was held at the competition venue.
On the day of the event, over 100 paleontological reconstruction works were exhibited on-site. These displays vividly presented the forms and postures of prehistoric creatures, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of ancient life.
"I have been fascinated by paleontology since childhood and have long been dedicated to related research. For this paleontological restoration, I meticulously crafted it based on scientific data from research papers throughout the process," says contestant Gao Yifan from Tianjin. "The event has built a professional platform for display and exchange for paleontology enthusiasts."
Running concurrently with the competition, the Paleoart Science and Art Innovation Summit and a museum directors' forum were held, bringing together over 40 guests including museum directors from major institutions across the country and leading industry experts.
Based on the current development status and cutting-edge trends in the field of paleontological reconstruction, the forums explored the theoretical support for the social value transformation of paleontology and conducted in-depth discussions on issues related to the future development of the museum industry.
From Aug 10 to Oct 31, all award-winning works will be on public display at the Paleozoological Museum of China's expo paleontology research and learning base, with plans for a subsequent touring exhibition at multiple natural history museums nationwide.
