When the Louvre meets the Forbidden City
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Also interpreted in the same episode is the spirit of traditional Chinese painting, with the story of Ni Zan, a Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) poet and painter. Living in the same era as da Vinci, Ni Zan is highly regarded by Chinese artists of all generations.
Taking Ni's several works at the Forbidden City as an example, the episode analyzes the differences between da Vinci and Ni, and meticulously explains why traditional Chinese art headed in such a different direction from the West.
Another highlight of the documentary series is the contemporary standpoint it takes. In each episode there's a particular interpretation by a famous contemporary Chinese artist, such as Xu Bing, Sui Jianguo, Yan Pei-Ming and Fan Zeng.
All of these artists have already made their names in international contemporary art scene. Some created new works inspired by pieces at the Louvre, expressing their own interpretations on both Chinese and Western art, while others explain their understanding using their own cross-cultural experiences.
Scriptwriter Lao Zhu, a professor from Peking University, said that such a contemporary flavor is crucial in interpreting the Louvre and the Forbidden City today.
"As we all know, both the Louvre and the Forbidden City are stocked with the best works from the past," he commented. "The standpoints of contemporary artists bring the history back to life, particularly in our current day."
