ObjecTalks

What is it

ObjecTalks unfolds through four thematic sections—Learning from the Past, Technique as the Carrier of Meaning, Craft Rooted in Accumulation, and Sensing the Times—tracing resonances between Eastern and Western thought, past and present. The exhibition offers a panoramic view of the cultural dialogues that transcend time and geography, while showcasing the unique charm and vitality of Chinese cultural perspectives in a global context.

At the same time, the exhibition operates on a dual timeline. One timeline is embedded in the artists’ practice of dialogue between antiquity and the present, while the second emerges from the artists themselves: the fifth section features outcomes from the interdisciplinary project Silk Road Chronicles: The Past and Present of Chinese Grottoes, developed by Shanghai University.

This project aims to revitalize the legacy of China’s grotto heritage by drawing from archaeological discoveries, historical archives, conservation achievements, and academic research. With a digital-first approach, it accelerates both online and offline communication channels, enhances the technological infrastructure of preservation, and reimagines public engagement through immersive and playful cultural experiences. In doing so, it narrates the evolving story of Chinese grotto conservation and cultural inheritance in the new era.

The project outcomes on view include painting, visual communication, product design, and installation works Within the U-shaped gallery space, an intergenerational dialogue takes place. Works by practitioners at different stages of their artistic journey unfold from both entrances of the exhibition. Though distinct in medium and method, their shared inspiration from China’s millennia-old cultural treasures creates a powerful sense of continuity. As the artworks converge at the gallery’s turning point, their contrasts in conceptual focus, artistic approach, and experiential depth form a compelling encounter—one that not only reflects the diverse interpretations of heritage, but also sparks new forms of dialogue and creative friction.

Academic Guidance: Lili Zhang, Jizhong Huang, Xin Guo, Guanghui Chen, Jiaying Xu

Academic Advisors: Yue Zhang, Shaojun Wang, Hanyue Zhang

Curators: Yuxuan Lin, Siqi Huang

Exhibition Consultants: Yibo He, Chong Shi, Shiqi Wu, Yanan He, Yuanyuan Yu, Rui Gao

Visual Design: Yuxuan Lin, Siqi Huang

Project Coordinators: Mingyu Xu, Feiyang Wu

Curatorial Team: Xujun Jia, Xinyue Xu, Mingyu Xu, Zhunting Hua, Xiangyue Zhang, Chen Kang, Jiayi Qiu, Shiwen Tan, Zhengyang Wang

Participating Artists: Youzhi Bi, Qinfen Du, Xin Guo, Rui Gao, Chongxi Xian, Yibo He, Shuyao Hong, Jue Hu, Zijing Hua, Siqi Huang, Haiyan Ji, Chenmin Jiang, Tong Jin, Qing Kang, Yang Kang, Sang Li, Hantong Lin, Yuxuan Lin, Bin Liu, Zhongquan Chang, Xiaocheng Luo, Yuyue Shen, Qi Shi, Chenjie Shi, Ban Shi, Lu Tao, Erqiang Wu, Jiaheng Wu, Shiqi Wu, Yuhui Wu, Yunan Wu, Jiaoshao Xu, Jiaying Xu, Meihua Yang, Yuanyuan Yu, Ding Zhang, Nannan Zhang, Yiran Zhang, Hengfeng Wei, Wei Zhou, Lite Zhu, Yu Zhu, Xujun Zhuang

“Silk Road Chronicles: The Past and Present of Chinese Grottoes” Project Team (Topic 3 Group): Feiyang Wu, Xinyue Zhang, Chen Kang, Jiayi Qiu, Shiwen Tan, Zhiting Hua

Organizers: National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Public Art and Technology, Shanghai University, School of Cultural Communication and Information Management, Shanghai University, Institute for Basic Research in Cultural Heritage Protection, Shanghai University

Host: Rong Art Center

Special Support: Flying Bee

Supporting Units: Mu Studio, Yifu Culture, ALSOLIKE

Media Partner: China Daily

When is it

March 1 - 12, 2025

Where is it

Rong Art Center, Shanghai

What to expect