Chinese pavilion at Venice show to focus on mountains and water

The map of Bu Xi [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Chinese pavilion to be unveiled at the 57th Venice Biennale art exhibition on May 11, which has been curated by Chinese artist Qiu Zhijie, will dwell on "eternity" in keeping with the theme of the event which is Viva Arte Viva (Spanish for "living art live").

The theme of the pavilion is Continnum – Generation by Generation through which Qiu aims to show the energy that keeps Chinese culture going.

It will feature the works of four artists, two contemporary ones – Wu Jian’an and Yang Nannan – and two masters of traditional Chinese handicrafts – Yao Huifen from Suzhou, in Jiangsu province who is known for his hand embroidery skills; and Wang Tianwen, a puppet sculpting artist from Xi’an, in Shaanxi province.

Their works will focus on two subjects, mountains and water, which recur in classical Chinese art and literary pieces, and which the ancient Chinese believed encapsulated the power of eternity.

Video: La Biennale di Venezia