The exhibition has opened at the Sea World Culture and Arts Center.

What sparks might fly when traditional intangible cultural heritage meets Shenzhen, the City of Design? On December 18, the “Essence of Tradition, Renewal of Creativity” exhibition, jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and Shenzhen Polytechnic, debuted as part of the 20th “Creative December Nanshan Sub-venue.” The exhibition will run until January 12, 2025.

"All Things Lacquered" Section

"Her Story in Nüshu" Section

Themed“Essence of Tradition, Renewal of Creativity,” the exhibition showcases over 300 works through eight thematic sections:Ornamental Orient,Decoding Yungang,Fabric Perfection,Dyed Together,Her Story in Nüshu,Embroidery Treasures,Radiant Ceramics, andAll Things Lacquered. These sections present multi-dimensional perspectives on how intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts find expression in contemporary art and design, demonstrating their integration with modern lifestyles.

The leaders and guests praised the exhibition.

The launch ceremony was attended by Wang Yuanhui, Member of the Standing Committee and Minister of Publicity of Nanshan District; Xu Jianling, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shenzhen Polytechnic; and Dong Chaojun, Vice President of Shenzhen Polytechnic. Representatives from renowned institutions, including Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, Shenzhen University, and Shenzhen Technology University, as well as cultural organizations such as the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shenzhen Library, and Guan Shanyue Art Museum, were also present. Industry and association representatives from China Merchants Cultural Industry Co., Shenzhen Design Society, Rong Bao Zhai, Bai Shiyuan, and the Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotion Association, along with nearly 100 faculty and student representatives from Shenzhen Polytechnic’s Creative Design Academy, Digital Media Academy, and Management School, also participated.

In his remarks, Xu Jianling highlighted Shenzhen Polytechnic’s longstanding commitment to fostering innovation in design education and research, producing a wealth of talent for Shenzhen’s burgeoning design industry. He emphasized the school’s dedication to the preservation and reinvention of intangible cultural heritage. The 300+ works on display represent the fruitful collaboration of its research teams with industry and academia, exploring new pathways for cultural heritage innovation.

In a foreword for the exhibition, Pan Lusheng, Vice Chairperson of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, remarked: “Intangible cultural heritage embodies the emotional essence, aesthetic ideals, and survival wisdom of specific regions, serving as a precious spiritual legacy of humanity. This exhibition, rooted in Shenzhen, highlights the value of traditional crafts in modern design practices and showcases Shenzhen’s unique approach to cultural preservation and innovation.”

The exhibition attracted a large number of local citizens who came to take photos and check it out.

The exhibition combines static displays with multimedia presentations to offer an immersive view of the history, cultural context, and craftsmanship of intangible heritage. Accompanying the exhibition are two hands-on workshops, bridging the gap between the public and traditional crafts. Highlights include works from prestigious institutions such as Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and Guangdong University of Technology, alongside contributions from renowned ceramic artists from Jingdezhen and Jizhou Kiln.

Regarding the original intention of the exhibition, Liu Jun, the curator of the event and Deputy Director of the Cultural and Creative Product Research Institute at Shenzhen Vocational Technology University, stated: "Through this exhibition, we hope to allow more people to understand and appreciate the unique charm and value of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), ignite public enthusiasm for ICH, and attract more people to engage in its protection and inheritance. At the same time, we look forward to continued collaboration between the government, enterprises, industries, and academic institutions to jointly promote the innovative development of ICH. The best inheritance is through usage. The highlight of this exhibition is to bring traditional ICH into contemporary life through design, so that more people can accept, use, and, in turn, love and inherit it."

(Creative Design Academy, Zhang Na and Zhang Jinghuo)