Do you know that French silk and Chinese silk influence each other and complement each other? You may have heard of the “Silk Road,” but do you know how significant its influence is?
“The Silk Road” refers to the trade route that originated from the ancient capital of the Han and Tang dynasties and reached Central Asia, West Asia, and even Europe. It was named because silk products predominantly constituted the goods transported westward. In reality, the “Silk Road” is not a single “road” but rather a network of paths crossing mountains, deserts, and seas with no marked routes. At the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Doha in 2014, the “Silk Road” was even inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, for the 30th anniversary celebration, City University of Hong Kong organized an exhibition titled “Silk Weaving Splendor.”
The exhibition is curated by Dr. Isabelle Frank, delving deep into the history of silk weaving from ancient China to the present day, spanning over two thousand years. It showcases around 150 precious items, particularly presenting Chinese textiles from the esteemed collection of Mr. Chris Hall, considered one of the most prominent and comprehensive private collections!
- Rediscovering Geometric Abstract Art! Interview with Chinese Artist Huo Gang
- Life is Like Architecture! Hong Kong’s Bank of China Tower Designer, Chinese-American Architectural Giant Ieoh Ming Pei’s First Large-scale Retrospective Exhibition Opens at M+ in June!
- Unraveling the Mystery of Planet Walala! Interview with French Artist Camille Walala
The exhibition, following the journey of silk through time and space, is divided into seven different areas: “What is Silk?”, “Precious as Gold”, “From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty”, “Following the Trend”, “On the Road: From China to Europe”, “France Takes the Lead from Afar”, and “Silk in 20th Century China and France”, focusing on the route of silk woven items from China to Europe and back, showcasing how this luxurious and unique material has become a medium of international exchange, and highlighting its profound impact on contemporary times.
The exhibition features a wide range of precious silk artifacts from China, India, France, and Italy, analyzing their development in art, trade, fashion, and technology. The rare lineup of exhibits allows the audience to see the significant role of Chinese silk and traditional weaving craftsmanship in culture and the major impact it has had globally. It aims to achieve modernization in the silk industry while preserving traditional crafts, ensuring the continuation of the prosperity of the silk industry.
Before the opening, Dr. Isabelle Frank, the exhibition curator, Ms. Laure Raibaut, the co-curator, and Ms. Anne Camilli, the assistant curator explained the exhibition to everyone. Dr. Isabelle Frank even mentioned:
“This exhibition showcases the process of silk production, as well as research findings on the development of the silk industry in China and Europe. Collaboration with prominent silk collectors, historians, and experts has enriched the content of the exhibition. I believe that delving into the history of silk is particularly important for the development of Asia over the past two millennia. I am also pleased to bring the exhibition to the CityU and invite the public to learn about the history of silk.”
“Silk Splendor: The Journey from China to Europe”
Exhibition Period: April 11 to September 1, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Location: Panco Exhibition Hall (18th Floor, Lau Ming Wai Academic Building, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Admission & Registration: Free of charge, please register online for entry
https://www.cityu.edu.hk/bg/zh-hk/visit/book-a-visit
