One of the reasons that first inspired Lin Xi to mount an exhibition about the Chinese way of living was the transformation she observed among her friends. "From a certain age onward, they began drinking tea, practicing calligraphy, and taking up traditional arts such as the guqin, a plucked string instrument," she says.
She adds that they seemed to have developed an unspoken understanding: a desire to return to traditional Chinese aesthetics and embrace ancient pastimes passed down through generations.
The Art of Living — A Survey of Eastern Aesthetics, which opened on Aug 22 at a space in Beijing's bustling China World Mall, grew out of these observations. For Lin, the exhibition offers a serene retreat for both mind and heart. The two-story space has been transformed into a series of traditional Chinese scholars' studios, where paintings, calligraphic works, wooden furniture in the classical Chinese style, and decorative cultural objects are seamlessly integrated into every corner.
