Academic Review Meeting for the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art in Beijing

On the afternoon of January 10, 2024, the academic review meeting for the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art project was held at the Zhejiang University Beijing Research Institute. The meeting was hosted by Zhejiang University Press and the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University. Attendees included Liu Shuguang, Chairman of the Chinese Museums Association; Guo Yiqiang, President of the Chinese Book Review Society; Wei Yushan, President and Deputy Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication; Shang Gang, Professor at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University; Rong Xinjiang, Professor at the Department of History and the Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History, Peking University; Yang Zhishui, Researcher at the Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Zhang Baichun, former Director and Researcher at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yan Yong, Director and Research Fellow of the Department of Palace History at the Palace Museum; and Huang Xiaofeng, Dean and Professor at the School of Humanities, Central Academy of Fine Arts.

The meeting was chaired by Chen Jie, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Deputy General Manager of Zhejiang University Press and Professor at the School of Humanities, Zhejiang University. The review session was led by Liu Shuguang, Chairman of the Chinese Museums Association, as the group leader.

Chu Chaofu, Chairman, Party Secretary, and Editor-in-Chief of Zhejiang University Press, and leader of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art publication task force, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Zhejiang University Press. He noted that the press has established a leading position in publishing works on Chinese silk, with its high-quality publications achieving significant social impact and brand influence both domestically and internationally. As the national major cultural project, the Great Series of Chinese Paintings, nears completion, Zhejiang University Press, in collaboration with the project team, has launched and officially approved the second major series—the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art. The project has already been included in the 14th Five-Year National Key Publications Planand the Zhejiang Cultural Research Program.

Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University, Qiushi Distinguished Professor, and Honorary Director of the China National Silk Museum, serves as the Chief Editor of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art. He provided an overview of the project's launch, approval, and standardization progress, the specific content and design adjustments of the compiled volumes, future plans, research achievements, and challenges encountered. The project aims to compile and study 100 volumes for the first time on a global scale, creating a comprehensive and representative collection that showcases the full scope and artistic essence of Chinese silk.

During the academic review session, the attending experts unanimously praised and recognized the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art project from both academic and publishing perspectives. They affirmed its practical significance and social value while offering constructive suggestions on naming, structure, classification, standards, and design.

Professor Shang Gang highlighted that Chinese arts and crafts have two major inventions: porcelain and silk. He emphasized the significance of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art and suggested incorporating a retrieval system to enhance accessibility due to the project's vast scale.

Professor Rong Xinjiang underscored the importance of the project, noting that the digitization process has cultural preservation significance due to the fragile nature of silk artifacts. He also emphasized the international academic value of including Chinese-English bilingual content.

Researcher Yang Zhishui commended the project's broad vision and comprehensive data, expressing confidence in the Chief Editor's solid foundational work and the well-prepared research team.

Researcher Yan Yong praised the project's importance and necessity, both macro and micro, and expressed anticipation for its presentation of global silk masterpieces through images.

Researcher Zhang Baichun described the project as grand, noting that the collected silk art treasures will become invaluable academic resources, benefiting research in history, technology, and other disciplines.

Professor Huang Xiaofeng drew connections between the Great Series of Chinese Paintingsand the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art, citing examples like Lady Guoguo's Spring Outingand Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk. He emphasized the projects' role in disseminating knowledge of Chinese silk art globally.

President Wei Yushan highlighted silk as a quintessential Chinese cultural symbol. He noted that the project's publication of silk artifacts scattered worldwide will promote traditional Chinese culture internationally.

President Guo Yiqiang emphasized the project's three key aspects: great significance, immense value, and considerable difficulty, describing it as an unprecedented endeavor essential for future generations.

In his concluding remarks, Liu Shuguang summarized the meeting. He stated that silk, as a vital symbol of Chinese civilization, is deeply intertwined with China's rituals, culture, customs, and technology, representing a significant part of the world's tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In the new historical era, it is essential to explore the global significance of Chinese silk and share its beauty with the world. He praised the meeting for its well-invited experts, who represented diverse fields relevant to the project, and acknowledged the team's spirit, capability, and the press's experience and strength. He also proposed several requirements: the project should prioritize coordination and support from museums, accelerate the publication of mature volumes, and enhance public outreach to maximize its impact, aiming to create a timeless masterpiece.

The Great Series of Chinese Silk Art project team will fully summarize and incorporate the expert feedback from this meeting, striving to establish an academic benchmark for China and the world. The project aims to preserve and promote China's cultural heritage, foster the development of traditional Chinese culture, and contribute to global cultural exchange.