Sculpture festival opens in Pingyao

The opening ceremony for the first Sculpture Projects Ping Yao (SPPY), a major international art festival, was held in the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi province, on July 20.

Over 80 artists from 10 countries, including China, Italy, Germany, Austria and the United States gathered at the event, exhibiting hundreds of sculptures.

Wu Xiaohua, secretary of the Pingyao Party committee, spoke at the ceremony about the development of sculptures created in Pingyao over the years. She said Pingyao sculptures had a history dating back 2,800 years and that some of the original carvings found in the county’s wooden buildings are excellent representations of traditional Chinese art.

Following the format of Sculpture Projects Münster (SPM) in Germany, a series of activities is planned to be held during the event, including themed exhibitions, academic forums and an artist-in-residence program, she added.

“Pingyao is an ideal stage for this important new project. Its great historical-artistic heritage allows us to look to the future with a trajectory that comes from a distant past,” said Lorenzo Benedetti, curator of SPPY.

By bringing new elements of modern art to the ancient county, the sculpture festival is expected to promote the cultural development of Shanxi province and deepen exchanges between Chinese artists and those from other countries, said Ren Xiuhong, director of Jinzhong city Party committee in Shanxi province.

According to Sophie Zhong, leader of the festival’s organizing committee, the festival is also being held in a bid to bring high culture to local residents.

The opening ceremony for the first Sculpture Projects Ping Yao (SPPY), a major international art festival, takes place in the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi province, on July 20. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu Xiaohua, secretary of the Pingyao Party committee, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Sculpture Projects Ping Yao (SPPY) in Pingyao, Shanxi province, on July 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]