Henan to host the country's first biennale on ceramics with 800 items

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Apart from contemporary artworks, the biennale will also host an event to showcase rare porcelain pieces of ancient China. All the 100 pieces that have been borrowed from major museums across the country for this event were produced in the famous five kilns named Jun, Ru, Guan, Ge and Ding.

Three of the kilns were once located in present-day Henan and made wares only for Song royalty. Some techniques used by these kilns have been lost.

Tian Kai, director of Henan Museum and organizer of the biennale, says porcelain was first found in Central China. Unearthed relics show that about 10,000 years ago ceramics were used in Central China in daily life.

Central China witnessed a period of innovation in porcelain, says Tian.

"That's why our museum is holding the biennale."

Henan Museum got funding for the biennale from the central and local governments.

To showcase China's porcelain antiques, yet another event will be held during the biennale, where nearly 140 items from the International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza will be displayed. The antiques are thought to have been produced between the 10th century and the 20th century.

The Italian city of Faenza is known in Europe for its pottery.

Tian says the biennale plans to introduce different Western cities with a history of ceramics to boost cultural exchanges.