An exhibition showcasing China’s Dehua County in Fujian Province white porcelain opened here Friday, drawing a number of dignitaries, politicians and attendees from the US and China and many from the American Chinese community. The exhibition titled “The Aesthetics of Harmony: Blanc de Chine, Porcelain from Dehua,” featured around 100 finely crafted ceramic artworks and photographic pieces each with descriptions of each along with a purpose aiming to highlight traditional Chinese culture while promoting cross-cultural exchange.
Prior to the event arriving early, provide me there not only as an editor/reporter but as the Modern-Day Marco Polo a chance to preview all of the exhibition’s exhibits. During that time, media gathered to take photos and video footage of Fang Junqin the Secretary of the Dehua County Party Committee explaining the different porcelain art pieces and its rich history and philosophy of China and US cooperation to Marco along with Chen Mingwen, President of the US Los Angeles Fujian United Association and mutual respect and new friendship developed in an instant. The parties shared the history of the Silk Road and Marco Polo bringing back porcelain to Venice and to the West. It’s a personal thing that I grew up with in that my Italian mother has always had “Blue Linen Porcelain” from Italy that was used in our family for special holidays Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
The event started with MC Peggy Zhao who displayed the rareness of the magic 3 being bilingual, bilateral and bicultural and delivered a strong professional introduction and oversight to guide the event. After the opening there was a screening of a excellent video of Dehua nestled in the foothills of Mount Daiyun in central Fujian Province, China. The rare clay from the area results in the illuminance of the white porcelain and the evolution of porcelain making from the proto porcelain of the Xia and Shang Dynasties. The video showed the 3,700-year-old history of Dehua porcelain while becoming the center for “all things porcelain” and the modernization and automation yet maintaining the craftsmanship of ancient techniques passed down through generations. There are over 4,500 ceramic enterprises in Dehua with products that are sold and distributed to over 190 countries including porcelain from Dehua in St. Mark’s in Venice which Marco saw firsthand in 1978. The video presented images of the 239 ancient kilns sites now listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After seeing the video and examining porcelain art, one could see the art illuminated by blending traditional techniques with contemporary design concepts, the display highlights the cultural legacy, artistic beauty and innovative spirit embodied in Dehua ceramics. The video also showed the forward thinking of Dehua County turning this great asset into “Cultural Tourism” which embodies the core of Marco’s heart. And a heritage of excellence.
Addressing the event, Huang Hongjiang, Deputy Consul General of China in Los Angeles, said Dehua porcelain represents not only China’s long-standing cultural traditions but also its refined modern craftsmanship. Haung shared with some modest pride that Dehua porcelain from his Province. Huang shared that Dehua has a population of roughly 350,000 and that Dehua Porcelain enterprises employ over 100,000 which is a ratio of 1 to 3 or 1 to 4. His emphasis on that point was something for all to consider. Huang also went on to share some information about China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and that it offers broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States in trade, investment and other areas, while calling for joint efforts to increase more people to people exchanges that can deliver more benefits to the people in both countries and benefiting humanity.
Fang Junqin, welcomed all the exhibition and shared that it had been in Paris, and why they called the exhibition Blanc de Chine and the exhibition had been in several places in the US, like Chicago and now Los Angeles. But he emphasized that next he hoped to have it next year in Hawaii and when he said tongue in cheek a second time, there was laughter from the audience. Fang He hoped that the exhibition will give the American public a chance to appreciate the elegance of Dehua porcelain and the jewel of Eastern aesthetic it embodies and as an envoy of cultural tourism across the seas and that each piece embodies the gentle radiance of telling a story of Dehua Porcelain culture as the “World Capital of Ceramics.”
Following several speeches Dr. Gay Yuen Board Chair of the Chinese American Museum made a surprise announcement of two new additions being added to the CAM n Los Angeles. Then as is usual in Chinese style events politicians beginning with the Mayor of San Gabriel presented of Certificates of Recognition to Fang and the Dehua Delegation. Then Fang and the Dehua Delegation presented the Tina He, Founder of H. Foundation & Be An Culture. Then Fang and Dehua Delegation presented to Dr. Gay and Board Members from Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles with a beautiful Porcelain Bamboo topped by a rose and as explained earlier before the event started, with the bamboo representing China and the Rose representing the United States. Then Fang and Delegation presented Chen Mingwen, President of the US Los Angeles Fujian United Association with a Blue Linen Porcelain Vase.
Caption: Gift Presentations at “The Aesthetics of Harmony,” including Tina He, CAM leadership, and Fujian United Association representatives.
After the presentations, there were two Signing Ceremonies of MOUs with the last for Strategic Cooperation between the Porcelain Development Committee of Dehua County and the US-China General Chamber of Commerce (Los Angeles) overseen by MC Peggy Zhao highlighting the beginning of a deeper tie to Los Angeles and the United States for Dehua and their fine porcelain.
Caption: Strategic Cooperation MOU Signing Ceremonies between Dehua County and U.S.–China business partners.
After the official program ended many toured numerous pieces of fine porcelain art taking pictures and media getting interviews and others sitting for tea. The atmosphere was festive with people engaging in art appreciation at a unusually high level produced by the exquisite Dehua Porcelain. One who must be there or go to a website to truly appreciate the experience that these fine art pieces provided.
Fang, after the main exhibition concluded, asked for my business card and when he saw the Panda Pin on the back of my card, in a gesture of true friendship took the Porcelain Panda Pin off his lapel and placed it on mine.
The Panda Pin Demonstrates that Dehua Porcelain Enterprises can make anything and make it look amazing.
Marco left on a long drive home in Los Angeles Freeway on a Friday Night giving much thought to be able to share such a wonderful experience and suggesting when the Blanc de Chine comes again, I suggest everyone goes to see it.
