Dec9 Written by:Fernan Cepero
12/9/2006
The delegates started the day with a tour of the Shanghai museum. The three-story museum houses one of the finest art collections in China. The Shanghai Museum, established in December 1952, is a worldfamous large museum of ancient Chinese art, boasting a collection of 120,000 pieces of Chinese cultural relics in twenty-one categories, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, furniture, jades, ivory carvings, oracle bones, seals coins, minority arts, and bamboo, wood, and lacqure wares.
In the afternoon the delegation had an opportunity to visit the Shanghai General Silk Rug Factory and were able to see the art of handwoven silk rugs by local craftspersons.
Throughout history, China has been known as the “Silk Kingdom.” By means of the ancient “Silk Road”, Chinese silk and its craftworks were spread around the world. The hand knotted silk rugs that started in the Xi Han Dynasty and reached its summit in the Tang Dynasty became the model for western countries to imitate. Based on the Chinese hand knotted silk rugs, Persian rugs were developed, and have been successful and known throughout the world. When Chinese president Jiang Ze Ming visited Iran early in this century, he intentionally visited the Persian Rug Museum to compare its rugs with those in China. The Persian Rug Museum is large and its collections are priceless. However, in terms of design, artistic level, substance and historical origin, Chinese rugs, especially the silk hanging rugs are much superior. |
Due to wars, the technology for hand knotted silk rugs almost was discontinued. In the late 70’s after the Great Cultural Revolution, the famous art professor Yuan Yun Pu , Dean of the Art Academy of Qing Hua University, and the silk rug factory in my hometown co-developed and successfully made the first modern artistic hand knotted silk hanging rug. This turned out to be a great invention and a significant contribution to the world of art. It is the ultimate combination of Chinese traditional craft and modern art. Eager to show the world this art invention, Professor Yuan showed the rug in New York Styria Studio art show. When the rug arrived at the show, critics were so amazed by the detailed art work, the fine piles and smooth surface that they couldn’t help touching it and admiring it.
Ever since the development of the silk artistic hanging rug, hundreds of artists have had their artworks converted into silk artistic hanging rugs. These artworks have been displayed at high-end art galleries; prestigious universities like Harvard University, Qinghai University, Beijing University, and Shanghai Foreign Language University, State Guesthouses, government lobbies and famous art museums like the New York Modern Art Museum and the American Modern Arts & Crafts Museum. Ever since its development, silk artistic hanging rugs have been valued as national treasures to be presented to the United Nations, the Olympic Committee, and many other world organizations. Ever since its development, the silk artistic hanging rugs have been recognized and collected by world leaders like former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hong Kong Chief Executive, Dong Jian Hua, and former Chinese leader, Deng Xiao Ping.
Directed by Li Yu Kun, the only active Great Master of Arts and Crafts in China, ensures the quality of the rug tapestry.
   
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