Chronicle of the Major Events of the Chinese Silk Art Series (2013-2024)
September 18, 2024
Under the high-level attention of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, the guidance of the Provincial Social Science Association, and the support of Zhejiang University, the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and Donghua University, the compilation and publication of the first installment of the Chinese Silk Art Series project, part of the Zhejiang Cultural Research Project, has progressed smoothly and is now entering its final stages.
Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University and the project's chief leader, continues to lead the project team, consisting of members from Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and Donghua University, in completing the application for the second installment of the Chinese Silk Art Series project within the Zhejiang Cultural Research Project.
On September 18, the Zhejiang Provincial Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences announced the second batch of approved projects for the 2024 Zhejiang Cultural Research Project. Among them, the second installment of the Chinese Silk Art Series was listed as a major project under the Zhejiang Cultural Research Project.
August 18, 2024
The international academic symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Mawangdui Han Tomb archaeological excavation, themed Mawangdui Han Tomb Relics, Han Dynasty Culture, and Contemporary China, opened in Changsha. The first volume of the Chinese Silk Art Series project, titled Chinese Silk Art Series: Hunan Museum Volume (Warring States Period to Han Dynasty), made its debut as a significant achievement in the protection and research of the Mawangdui Han Tomb excavation during the Mawangdui Han Tomb Research Achievements Publication Release Ceremony.
May 24, 2024
The appraisal meeting for the major project of the Zhejiang Cultural Research Project, Chinese Silk Art Series (First Series, 5 volumes), hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Social Science Association, was held at Zhejiang University Press. Attendees included Sheng Shihao, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Social Science Association; Liu Dong, Second-Level Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Social Science Association; and Yang Jinzhu, Deputy Director of the Planning Division of the Zhejiang Provincial Social Science Association. Expert reviewers such as Shang Gang, Bao Mingxin, Zheng Juxin, Chen Ye, and Wang Dan, along with members of the project research team and the publishing team, participated in the meeting.
Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University and the project leader, presented the completion status and publication plans for the volumes Chinese Silk Art Series: Palace Museum Volume, Chinese Silk Art Series: Hunan Museum Volume, Chinese Silk Art Series: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute Volume, and Chinese Silk Art Series: China National Silk Museum Volume. The attending leaders and experts thoroughly reviewed the content of the five volumes, concluding that the overall quality of the manuscripts for the first series is excellent. With minor refinements, they will meet the requirements for publication.
March 28, 2024
Review Meeting for the Tsinghua University Art Museum Volume of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art.
March 27, 2024
The research team of the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art” project held a review meeting for the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art · Palace Museum Volume (Costumes)” at the Palace Museum. Wang Yehong, the chief editor of the volume, reported on the progress and raised challenges encountered during the compilation process, which were addressed by Yan Yong, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum’s Imperial Department, and his team. Subsequently, both parties conducted on-site observation and research on several exquisite artifacts, discussing their pattern art, production techniques, and historical-cultural aspects. This review and artifact observation activity significantly advanced the compilation and publication process of the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art · Palace Museum Volume (Costumes).”
March 14, 2024
The research team held a review meeting for the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art · Hunan Museum Volume” at the Hunan Museum. Yu Yanjiao, Director of the Mawangdui Han Tomb and Collection Research Center at the Hunan Museum and chief editor of the volume, introduced the current status, noting that the basic content of the manuscript had been preliminarily completed. Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University and overall project leader, emphasized that, based on mid-term inspections and discussions at the Beijing argumentation meeting, the team had decided to adjust the structure by adding a highlight section to enhance the research aspect. Dean Zhao provided specific requirements for this section and offered suggestions on artifact classification, image selection, and layout design. Following this, both parties engaged in in-depth exchanges and research on the pattern art, production techniques, and historical value of key artifacts. This academic discussion not only addressed the team’s questions but also provided important insights and directions for the highlight section.
March 8, 2024
The research team held a review meeting and artifact observation activity for the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art · Gansu Provincial Museum Volume” at the Gansu Provincial Museum. Zhao Feng noted that the museum’s collection information was comprehensive, with the sample book containing extensive data on silk artifacts. He outlined the project’s publication plan and compilation standards. Under the guidance of Jia Jianwei, Director of the Gansu Provincial Museum and chief editor of the volume, both parties focused on technical analysis and content compilation of highlight artifacts, reaching a preliminary consensus on collaborative research and clarifying subsequent compilation and publication timelines.
March 2, 2024
The research team held a review meeting for the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art · Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology Volume” at the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Zhao Feng affirmed the rich cultural resources of the volume and the smooth progress of the preliminary compilation work, providing specific optimization suggestions for artifact classification, image selection, and clarity. Li Wenying, Director of the Institute and chief editor of the volume, assured that the team would strictly adhere to project requirements and complete the tasks on time. Additionally, the research team observed selected silk artifacts from the institute and engaged in in-depth discussions on their technical and artistic features, further clarifying the selection criteria and writing requirements for highlight artifacts in the volume.
March , 2024
The first 12 volumes of the “Compendium of Chinese Silk Art (First Series)” project received funding from the National Publication Foundation.
January 12, 2024
The research team of the Chinese Silk Art Series project held a manuscript review meeting for the Chinese Silk Art Series: Guangdong Folk Art Museum Volume at the Guangdong Folk Art Museum.At the meeting, Huang Haiyan, Director of the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, and Hu Shun, Director of the Cultural Relics Preservation Department, presented the progress of the volume's compilation. They highlighted the challenges faced in documenting the cultural relics and expressed hope for technical support from the research team. In response, Su Miao, Deputy Dean of the School of Textile Science and Engineering (International Silk College) at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, along with her team, conducted in-depth analysis and research on more than 20 cultural relics in the volume and provided targeted guidance for the compilation work. Thanks to this meeting and academic exchange, significant progress was made in the compilation of the volume.
January 10, 2024
The Beijing Academic Review Meeting for the Chinese Silk Art Series project, organized by Zhejiang University Press and the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University, was held at the Zhejiang University Beijing Research Institute. Attendees included Liu Shuguang, Chairman of the Chinese Museums Association; Guo Yiqiang, President of the Chinese Book Review Association; and Wei Yushan, President and Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication. Experts such as Shang Gang, Rong Xinjiang, Yang Zhishui, Zhang Baichun, Yan Yong, and Huang Xiaofeng participated in the meeting and reviewed the Chinese Silk Art Series project.
During the academic review session, Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University and the project leader, reported on the team's progress. The attending leaders and experts highly praised and recognized the project from both academic research and compilation-publishing perspectives, fully affirming its practical significance and social value. They also provided constructive suggestions on aspects such as naming, structure, classification, standards, and design of the sample manuscripts.
Additionally, the Ancient Books Division of the Press and Publication Bureau of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee held a small expert review meeting.
January 9 to January 11, 2024
The research team of the Chinese Silk Art Series project held a manuscript review meeting for the Chinese Silk Art Series: Guangzhou Museum Volume at the Guangzhou Museum.
At the meeting, Zeng Lingling, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Museum, and Luo Weina from the Cultural Relics Protection and Management Department introduced the progress of the volume's compilation and the difficulties encountered in the analysis and research of cultural relics. To address these challenges, Su Miao, Deputy Dean of the School of Textile Science and Engineering (International Silk College) at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, led her team in conducting analysis and testing on more than 90 cultural relics from the Guangzhou Museum. They provided guidance and assistance to the compilation team in documenting the cultural relics.
December 29, 2023
The research team of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art project held a manuscript review meeting for the Guangdong Provincial Museum Volume of the series at the Guangdong Provincial Museum. Zhao Feng, Dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University and the project's chief director, along with Bai Fang, Director of the Exhibition Center at the Guangdong Provincial Museum and editor-in-chief of the volume, exchanged views on the progress of their work and discussed challenges encountered during the compilation process. The project team provided specific requirements to the compilation team regarding the series' format, such as length control, interpretation of selected works, and image selection. During the meeting, both parties also observed some of the museum's artifacts on-site, conducting in-depth research on their artistic patterns, production techniques, and historical culture. This review meeting and observation activity effectively facilitated the smooth progress of the Guangdong volume's compilation.
September 8th, 2023
The thematic exhibition The Path of Great Governance - The 20th Anniversary of the Implementation of the 'Eight-Eight Strategy' opened at the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou. This thematic exhibition is one of the series of significant events held by the Zhejiang Provincial Committee to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Eight-Eight Strategy. Yi Lianhong, Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and announced the opening of the exhibition. Wang Hao, Deputy Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Governor of the province, presided over the event, and other vice-provincial level leading officials also attended the opening ceremony.
The exhibition showcased sample volumes of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art, including the Palace Museum Volume, the China National Silk Museum Volume, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Volume, the British Museum Volume, and the Swedish Army Museum Volume, which were available for the audience to peruse. During the exhibition, the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art received high praise from leaders such as Li Shulei, Minister of the Central Propaganda Department.
August 11, 2023
The mid-term review meeting for the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art (First Series) project was held at Zhejiang University Press. Secretary Zhang Xi, Chairman Sheng Shihao, and Deputy Director Huang Huo attended the meeting. The panel of experts participating in the review included Xu Tianjin, Wang Xiaosong, Yan Jianqiang, Du Zhengxian, Mao Jianbo, and Jin Xiaoming, along with relevant members of the project research and publishing team.
Zhao Feng, the project's chief director, representing the research teams from the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and Donghua University, delivered a report. He introduced that the foundational compilation work for 20 volumes of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art had been completed. The attending experts and leaders highly commended the effective work carried out by the project team, led by Professor Zhao Feng, in areas such as research and verification, coordination with various parties, data organization, and compilation. They congratulated the team on their milestone achievements and encouraged them to continue their efforts. Additionally, the experts provided constructive and professional suggestions regarding the series' volume division, content hierarchy, layout design, and other aspects.
June 2023
The Great Series of Chinese Silk Art (First Series) project was included in the 14th Five-Year National Key Publishing Plan.
January 14, 2022
The kickoff and signing ceremony for the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art (First Series) project was held at the China National Silk Museum. Leaders including Secretary Zhang Xi, Vice Minister Sheng Shihao, Vice Minister Li Gao, and Secretary Guo Huawei attended the ceremony, along with relevant experts, publishers, and project team members. During the ceremony, the official launch of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art (First Series) project was announced. Zhao Feng, Director of the China National Silk Museum and project leader, signed the publishing cooperation agreement for the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art with Chu Chaofu, President of Zhejiang University Press. Moving forward, the research team will collaborate with Zhejiang University Press to achieve annual publishing goals, ultimately completing the publication of 100 volumes of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art.
December 6, 2021
The Zhejiang Provincial Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences released the notice for the second batch of approved projects under the 2021 Zhejiang Cultural Research Program. The Great Series of Chinese Silk Art (First Series), comprising 20 volumes, was listed as a major project under the Zhejiang Cultural Research Program. This project is jointly undertaken by academic institutions such as the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Donghua University, and Zhejiang University Press. The project will be executed over three years (2022–2024), during which it will collaborate with multiple domestic and international institutions to compile and publish 20 volumes of the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art, covering the following five sub-projects:
1:Great Series of Chinese Silk Art: Overseas Collections of Chinese Silk Art (Volume 1);
2:Great Series of Chinese Silk Art: Domestic Collections of Chinese Silk Art (Volume 1);
3:Great Series of Chinese Silk Art: Dunhuang Silk Art;
4:Comprehensive Research on Silk Weaving and Embroidery Techniques;
5:Comparative Study of Chinese-English Professional Terminology in Chinese Silk. As a major academic project of national significance and Zhejiang identity, following the Great Series of Chinese Paintings, the Great Series of Chinese Silk Art will conduct comprehensive and systematic global surveys of Chinese silk artifacts, collect foundational data, and conduct research, cataloging, and publication efforts. This will deepen the exploration of Chinese silk resources, permanently document China's silk cultural heritage, and advance academic research on silk history and the Silk Road.
October 9, 2019
The Contemporary Interpretation and Dissemination: 2019 International Academic Symposium on Chinese Silk, hosted by Zhejiang University and organized by Zhejiang University Press and the China National Silk Museum, with the support of Zhejiang University Library, was grandly held at Zhejiang University. The conference aimed to integrate global academic resources on Chinese silk from museums, create a shared platform for research, and promote original research approaches and intellectual exchange. It brought together outstanding scholars in the field of Chinese silk studies from both China and abroad, providing academic support for the development of related disciplines and talent cultivation. Zhao Feng, Director of the China National Silk Museum, delivered a report titled Chinese Silk in Overseas Collections. He pointed out that due to the delicate nature of silk, its preservation is extremely challenging, making archaeological discoveries and surviving ancient silk artifacts particularly precious. With the spread of the Silk Road, the global collection of Chinese silk has continued to grow. In addition to domestic collections, public and private cultural institutions worldwide also house a significant number of Chinese silk artifacts, though these collections are often scattered. To address this, the China National Silk Museum will launch the Chinese Silk in Overseas Collections book series project, which will collect, organize, and study Chinese silk artifacts held in museums, foundations, and other institutions, primarily in Europe and the United States, aiming to protect and pass on the cultural heritage of silk. The launch of the Chinese Silk in Overseas Collections book series project laid a solid foundation for the development of the Chinese Silk Archives project.
November 20, 2015
After consultations with Zhejiang University Press and the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau, the China National Silk Museum proposed a phased publishing plan for the Chinese Silk Archives project, comprising 100 volumes.
November 10, 2015
The China National Silk Museum completed the application for the 2015 Chinese Silk Archives project to the News Publishing Reform and Development Project Database. The application included the project's significance, work plan, current research status, and development trends. These materials, along with two expert recommendation letters (provided by Professor Zhu Chengyan of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and General Manager Li Jilin of Cathaya International Group), were submitted to Zhejiang University. Five days later, Secretary Zhang Xi called Director Liu Yun of the Zhejiang Provincial Archives Bureau, seeking assistance in liaising with the First Historical Archives of China to advance the Chinese Silk Archives project.
September 24, 2015
Jing Junhai, Vice Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, inspected Zhejiang University Press, accompanied by Ge Huijun, Minister of the Zhejiang Provincial Propaganda Department. During the briefing, Secretary Zhang Xi mentioned the Chinese Silk Archives project, and Minister Ge Huijun expressed her personal commitment to leading and promoting the project. The following day, Secretary Zhang Xi convened a meeting at Zhejiang University Press to convey the remarks of Vice Minister Jing and Minister Ge and to arrange preparations for the Chinese Silk Archives project proposal.
September 20, 2013
Secretary Zhang Xi visited the China National Silk Museum and met with Director Zhao Feng. During their conversation, he learned about the museum's vision to collect Chinese silk artifacts from around the world and compile them into a comprehensive collection. He expressed his willingness to support and facilitate the project. That same day, under Secretary Zhang Xi's guidance, Xu Wenyue of the China National Silk Museum completed the draft proposal for the Chinese Silk Archives project. One month later, Director Zhao Feng finalized the official project plan and submitted it to Secretary Zhang Xi.