From March 12th to 26th , 2018, at the invitation of Director General of National Museum of Iran, Mr. Jebrael Nokandeh, Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Family Affairs, Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Artur Palatnyi, Amberif & Ambermart Project Director, Ms. Ewa Rachoń and other foriegn friends, a delegation led by President of Shanghai Art Collection Museum, Mr. Hu Muqing paid a two-week visit to Iran, Ukraine, Poland and other countries along "the Belt and Road". During the trip, the delegation visited numerous organizations and artists, investigated the cultural and artistic resources in these countries and reached cooperation intentions with them in several projects.
The main purpose of this visit is to prepare for the 8th International Exhibition of Traditional Fine Arts and the 6th International (Shanghai) Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Forum held in June as well as the series exhibitions held in Shanghai Art Collection Museum · Takashimaya Art Space this year.
The Silk Road is a special cultural and economic link among countries and Iran was exactly the hub in the ancient Silk Road connecting the West and the East. National Museum of Iran, Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Glassware and Ceramics Museum of Iran, The National Jewelry Treasury, Golestan Palace and many other cultural landmarks show a country with countless treasures and long history.
During the meeting with Director General of National Museum of Iran, Mr. Jebrael Nokandeh, the delegation had a deep impression on the passion of Iran for promoting the cultural exchange with other "the Belt and Road" countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iranian Cultural Heritage & Handicrafts & Tourism Organization both assigned senior representatives to attend the meeting. In addition, National Museum of Iran also drafted a strategic cooperation agreement in advance.
Guided by Director of Bordbar Foundation, Mr. Hossein Bordbar, our delegation visited a lot of local artists, companies as well as workshops and managed to have a deep investigation on Iranian handicrafts. The delegation got to know their production process such as shaping, sticking, polishing and so on from the largest handicraft company in Isfahan, which has hundreds of craftsmen. It also learned the market selling and package of products from numorous shops in Imam Square and got the chance to meet with famous artists of miniature painting and some new jewelry designers.
The delicate miniature paintings, charming turquoises, exquisite and unique silver containers, priceless Persian carpets and other treasures in Iran are all impressive.
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The delegation visited Contemporary Art Museum in Isfahan with the warm reception of Director General, Mr. Mehdi Tamizi. He invited Shanghai Art Collection Museum to organize several Chinese artists to hold exchange exhibitions in Isfahan. Besides, he is quite looking forward to the cultural exchange about "the Silk Road". Mayor of Isfahan, who was on a business trip, also appointed some media agencies to make an interview for our visit.
After the visit in Iran, the delegation left for Kiev, the capital of Ukraine to have a working visit.
The delegation visited Ms. Irina Akimova in her office, who was a member of Ukrainian Parliament and now is the Leader of Ukraine Association For Feminine Research In Art. After discussing the cooperation in several projects, both sides reached a consensus. Accompanied by Ms. Akimova, the delegation also visited a famous art gallery in Ukraine and enjoyed a special exhibition of a Ukrainian top artist.
In the studio of Mr. Oleg Pinchuk, a famous Ukrainian sculptor, the delegation saw his unique sculpture works and private collections. After that, the delegation had a meeting with Mr. Stanislav Drokin, a renowned jewellery designer and winner of the Basel International Jewellery Design Award and also took the chance to visit Ukraine National Art Museum. The cultural heritage and the art design industry in Ukraine left a deep impression on the delegation.
The delegation also had a business talk with a local amber company, which had been officially permitted in raw amber stones mining. Arranged by its CEO, Ms. Halyna Simha, the delegation managed to meet Ms. Oksana Bilozir, Member of Ukrainian Parliament and Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Ms. Belichenko Olena, Licensed Amber Expert of Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, State Gemmological Center of Ukraine.
After the work in Ukraine, the delegation set out for Poland without much break. The delegation investigated the development and current situation of contemporary art in Warsaw and went to Gdańsk, which is known as "the city of amber", to attend the opening ceremony of the 25th Amberif.
Located on the intersection of "the Silk Road" and "the Road of Amber", it is convenient for Gdańsk to collect raw amber stones from the countries in the Baltic Region such as Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania, that contributes to its reputation as "city of amber".
During the Amberif, President Hu Muqing and his colleague conducted a series of talks with directors or representatives from related amber institutions and companies, such as Amberif & Ambermart Project Director, Ms. Ewa Rachoń, Deputy President of International Amber Association, Mr. Mariusz Gliwinski, General Manager of International Amber Association, Mr. Mickal Kosior, Curator of Gdańsk Amber Museum, Ms. Joanna Grazawska, Amber Expert at Gdańsk University, Mr. Jacek Szwedo, Organizer of Amber Trip, International Baltic Jewelry Show, Mr. Giedrius Guntorius, Director of Stowarzyszenie Tworcow Form Zlotniczych, Mr. Marcin Tyminski, etc., and reached cooperation intentions with them in several projects.
In addition, the delegation was invited to attend the fashion show "Amber and Leonardo" hosted by Mayor of Gdańsk in St John's Cathedra and the awarding ceremony of the 25th Amberif, on which the delegation had a friendly talk with Director Manager of the Museum of Gdansk, Mr. Waldemar Ossowski.
After enjoying the Baltic amber design, the delegation went to visit Pforzheim, which is famous as "the city of gold and clocks" and attended the opening ceremony of Pforzheim Arts & Crafts Exhibition. The Pforzheim Jewelry Museum and National Art Museum in Stuttgart also gave a deep impression of the beautiful art and design in German.
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Having passed through seven countries on the way, the working trip lasted for half a month with complete success.
Hereby the delegation would like to show the gratitude to Shanghai Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office, Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Shanghai, Consulate General of Ukraine in Shanghai,Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Shanghai, Polish Investment and Trade Office in China, The Pomorskie Office in China and other departments who give the museum long-term support.
Written by Yang Xinya of External Liaison Department of Shanghai Art Collection Museum
Edited by Mei Tingting, Shao Aina of Publication and Education Department of Shanghai Art Collection Museum