On April 15, the "Three Artists' Journey - International Calligraphy Touring Exhibition of Professor Zhou Bin and His Students Ban Ki-moon and Roy Ye" opened at Kroon Hall of Yale University. With a special theme “Propitious Weather Brings Prosperity”, the exhibit is co-organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry and Yale University. Speakers at the opening ceremony included Vice President of Yale University Professor Pericles Lewis, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in New York Mr. Li Liyan, Executive Vice Chairman of Yale Association of Chinese Students and Scholars Mr. Hua Cheng (SJTU alumnus), Chairman of Council of Organizations - United Nations Association of USA Dr. Aaron Etra, Chief of United Nations Chinese News Unit Mr. Li Maoqi, and professors and scholars from Yale University. On behalf of Consul-General Huang Ping of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, a supportive unit of the "Culture Goes Global" initiative, Cultural Counselor Li Liyan delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.
As a project of “Calligraphy Culture Series Lectures and International Exhibits in the UN and the U.S.” supported by Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation, the exhibition showcases about sixty calligraphy artworks by Professor Zhou Bin of ICCI and his students. The works of calligraphy are based on classic quotes of ancient Chinese philosophy and wisdom. Professor Zhou Bin has a profound understanding and demonstration of Chinese traditional culture. His works are characterized by not only static features of sculpture and architecture, but also rhythm and melody in music and dance, showing a unique personality behind the movement and joy of writing brush. Mr. Ban Ki-moon has studied calligraphy from Professor Zhou Bin for many years, and his works are elegant and dignified with a natural and simple style. Mr. Roy Ye, Executive Chairman of Junior United Nations of Calligraphy, has focused on cursive script, the highest level of art in Chinese calligraphy. Characters in Mr. Ye’s cursive style artworks flow into one another, creating a smooth and well-rounded appearance with energy, spirits, and beautiful abstraction. His standard-script works feature rigorous structures with subtle movement and power in static strokes.
In addition, Professor Zhou Bin and Roy Ye jointly created a series of calligraphy works "Propitious Weather Brings Prosperity – Twenty-Four Solar Terms", which speak to themes of harmony, environmentalism and sustainable development – themes that resonate with the exhibition site of Kroon Hall at the Yale School of Forestry.
In his opening speech, Yale’s Vice President Pericles Lewis pointed out that Yale University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have a close and cooperative relationship, and that this exchange in humanities and arts is just a great example which further deepens the cultural communication and cooperation between American and Chinese universities. After the opening ceremony, Professor Zhou Bin and Roy Ye conducted a lively introduction of Chinese traditional culture through calligraphy art to the guests, followed by the "Chinese Calligraphy and Cross-Cultural Communication” Forum moderated by Professor Zhou Bin and participated by Dr. Etra, Mr. Li Maoqi and Yale scholars.
Professor Zhou Bin indicated in the forum that calligraphy, as one of the greatest traditions of Chinese culture, contains the attribute of natural interpersonal symbols. At this level, it transcends the function of Chinese characters, crosses national boundaries and plays an important role in international communication. In many years of teaching practice, Professor Zhou Bin has found that with its beautiful lines, calligraphy is accepted by people of different cultures, which can strengthen mutual understanding and mutual appreciation and promote harmonious development of international community.
It is reported that Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies will, after the exhibition, collect the calligraphy works "Propitious Weather Brings Prosperity – Twenty-Four Solar Terms" jointed created by Professor Zhou Bin and Roy Ye. The two artists will also donate a series of calligraphy books on the Chinese Twenty-Four Solar Terms titled "Propitious Weather Brings Prosperity -- Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter" co-authored by Professor Zhou Bin and Roy Ye to Yale School of Forestry for teaching and research.
Since its establishment, USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry has focused on "internationalization, interdisciplinary and industry-oriented" as its vision for talent cultivation, with "innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity" as the goal of educating future leaders. Promoting international communication of Chinese culture and supporting global cultural exchanges by its faculty and students are not only practical measures for talent development, but also an important way to strengthen international exchanges of the Institute. Meanwhile, the calligraphy exhibition series led by Professor Zhou Bin will continue throughout the globe, making a unique contribution to the international communication of Chinese calligraphy.
Author:Yikun LIU/ Yarong ZENG
Translated by Wu HU