China's Aesthetics Forum Explores Cultural Dialogue Online
News related to:Global Times · 2 min read
BEIJING, Oct. 18, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The event, hosted by the Global Times, featured keynote speeches by Alan Macfarlane, an emeritus professor from the University of Cambridge, and Ai Lin, director of the Deji Art Museum in Nanjing. Macfarlane began by addressing the paradox of globalization, noting that while the world is more connected, cultural differences between civilizations persist. He emphasized the need for new thinking to deepen understanding while respecting cultural differences. Macfarlane used the Chinese term "shanshui," which translates to "mountain and water," to illustrate the difference in perspective between Chinese and Western art. He pointed out that in Chinese painting, there is no privileged vantage point, and the eye journeys through the landscape, whereas Western painting often places humans in a dominant position over nature.
Ai Lin, on the other hand, introduced the Deji Art Museum's innovative digital exhibition of the Jingling Scroll, a long scroll depicting ancient Nanjing. The museum has created an immersive digital experience using a large LED screen measuring 110 meters in length and 3.6 meters in height. Visitors can use smart wristbands to interact with the digital exhibition, allowing them to enter the painting and engage with its residents. For example, a fortune teller can tell visitors their Chinese zodiac sign based on their birthday, helping foreign viewers understand a concept they may have heard of but never personally experienced.
Ai also highlighted the enthusiasm of young Chinese people for museums, noting that they often make museums their first stop when visiting a new city and are eager for global perspectives. This enthusiasm underscores the importance of museums in fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting dialogue among civilizations.
The forum provided a platform for discussing the role of museums in communicating Chinese aesthetics to the world and highlighted the innovative approaches being taken by institutions like the Deji Art Museum. Through such initiatives, the global understanding of Chinese culture and aesthetics is likely to deepen, fostering greater appreciation and respect for the rich cultural heritage of China.