The opening of the Year of Italy in China a couple of days ago ushered in a first round of cultural activities.
The arrangement of the exhibition is structured to give visitors the impression that they are actually roaming the gardens or ancient castles of Italy, or even one of the streets of Florence. In fact, each setting corresponds to the time period of each individual exhibit. Curator of the exhibition Gianni Bulian says that although they cannot bring the whole of Italy to China, they can attach as much Italian history as possible to each art work, so that a Chinese audience can better appreciate them.
"Even for Italians themselves, it would be a thrilling experience to see these 82 pieces of masterworks back to back at the same time. There is a story behind every work of art and we're trying to unravel the stories behind each portrait, as well as the historical time when they existed. This way, audiences can better appreciate these art works and know their value, with the help of specially designed windows, lights, and other multi-media technology." Sure enough, in the face of so many priceless art treasures, visitors found it hard to leave once they had entered. Lingering in front of the Venus by Lorenzo, 60-year-old Zhou Ya couldn't contain her excitement.
"The moment I see this painting, I'm immediately charmed, especially by her feet. Under the strong light, her feet gives one the feeling that blood is flowing under her skin. It also gives you the feeling that if you put your hands on her, you'll feel her heartbeat. The painter has made Venus come to life with his painting brush."
Yet this art exhibition is not just about art, it's also about politics, society and understanding. Su Jiazheng, Chinese Minister of Culture, played a major role in organizing the China Italy Year, and expressed his understanding about art during the opening ceremony a couple of days ago.
"We frequently encounter the word "art". But what is art? Art is the carrier of emotion. Classic art works represent the exceptional expression of their artists' emotions. When masters use art to express their feelings, that feeling usually consists of an intermingling of his own experiences and those of his nation at that time. To learn about Italian art is also part of a process which can help us to learn about Italian people's emotions. Art and cultural understanding between the two peoples will constitute the strongest foundation for their friendship." The Italian Renaissance Art Exhibition will run until April 23. Moreover, there'll be ample opportunity for both Chinese and Italians to explore each other's culture, since while we have a whole year of Italian cultural programs, China will also take the cream of its culture to Italy. So, let's all keep our eyes wide open and wait for some more exciting cross-cultural events.
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Producer: Gao Qian 
Enjoy Italian Renaissance Art Exhibition
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