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FROM THE VERY BEGINNING: A ceramics master devotes himself to the creation of porcelain works (ZHENG YANG) |
"I was really overwhelmed to be part of it," said Read, who found himself understanding the exotic and ancient ceremony. "It's not just going through the motions; it's actually from the heart. As an artist and human being, I do believe that a part of our spirits goes into the making of our works."
Formerly the world's premier source of porcelain products, Jingdezhen is now having outsiders join in the building of its future. According to government statistics, over 3,000 foreign artists traveled to Jingdezhen during 2011 to study or seek inspiration. The local government supports these exchange activities, providing accommodation and interpreters.
Located in a small village outside Jingdezhen City, Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute is based within several old and shabby village houses. But for ceramic artists from around the world, the workshop, surrounded by a stunning natural landscape, is a paradise because of its proximity to raw materials and traditional facilities, as well as its tranquil and unaffected atmosphere.
Terry Lazaroff, a Canadian sculptor, visits every two years, staying in Sanbao for one or two months each time. This year marks his fifth visit to Jingdezhen. Like Lazaroff, many foreign artists are attracted by the skilled craftsmen and the artistic atmosphere.
"I'm an artist; I'm supposed to come here to make art. But I'm also here for the people," said Lazaroff, "I will live here for a couple of months, because I want to experience the culture."
Looking to the future, Jingdezhen will find maintaining its position as a peerless center for porcelain and ceramic arts more difficult than it was in the past. In recent decades, cities like Foshan in south China's Guangdong Province have emerged as great competitors. These cities are home to companies that specialize in mass production and enjoy an advantageous position in the markets.
Many agree that changes are necessary, but that complete industrialization would destroy the city's traditional hand-made porcelain system. For years, Jingdezhen has been seeking a unique solution that balances these concerns.
The Jingdezhen Sculpture and Ceramic Factory was one of the ceramic factories which sank in the tide of the country's shift to a market economy at the end of the last century. But in recent years it has been revived in a different form—run by former employees and artists, over 200 ceramic workshops are held in the abandoned factory.
Young artists gather here, and on the weekends the Letian Creative Market provides a platform for them to sell their works and exchange ideas.
"This is the first time I build my own business," said Li Li, a student from the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute. "We cherish traditional techniques, but we also want to make some new progress through our own efforts."
The local government sees these young talents as a solid foundation for its growing cultural and creative industry. To promote the industry, many abandoned factories in the city have been transformed into artistic communities and studios for young artists, and several creative industrial centers have been established.
According to Deng Baosheng, Secretary of the Jingdezhen Municipal Committee of the CPC, Jingdezhen has gone through different developmental stages during its history, and the development of cultural and creative industries will help it achieve a new leap, becoming a city of modern art.
"Our dream is to make Jingdezhen into an international ceramics center, just as it was centuries ago, but more creative and diversified," said Li.
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