Shanghai exhibition unite Chinese and French artisans

An exhibition at Zhang Yuan, a cluster of repurposed historical buildings in downtown Shanghai, is presenting a dialogue between artisans from China and France.

The exhibition, held from Nov 4 to 10, brought together artisans working for 17 French luxury houses and Chinese master craftsmen and women, to showcase their unique expertise side by side on the same working table.

An event for the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, the exhibition entitled Jeux de mains, or Hand Games, has been organized by the Comité Colbert from France, a 70-year-old association of 95 French luxury houses.

The exhibition was curated by Chinese artist Jiang Qiong'er, who believed that the exchange and sharing of exceptional craftsmanship is a great way to bridge Chinese and French cultures.

From lacquer, kintsugi, embroidery and micro-carving to mother-of-pearl inlay and incense experiences, the Chinese artists are each paired with a French artisan, who works with jewelry and watch making, silversmith, hand-crafted music instruments, shoe design and repair of luxury handbags.

Like a game between hands and crafts, the exhibition marks a beautiful meeting point for French luxury and Chinese craftsmanship, initiating dialogues with a wide diversity of themes, such as the pursuit for refinement, poetry and harmony, shared by the two cultures, Jiang said at the opening on Nov 4.