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【MKsport】Painting a vivid picture of exchange and shared learning

Source:MK sports time:2025-01-06 13:42:27


TheMKsport awards ceremony for the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition was held in Beijing on November 19. The event was jointly organized by the People's Daily Overseas and the Palace Museum. Artworks by Chinese and international participants, such as A Friend Comes from Afar, Palace Shadows Interwoven: The Forbidden City and Versailles, and The Melody of the Guqin, Spring Breezes, A Dream of the Ancient Capital won awards.

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the China-France diplomatic relations, as well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The theme of the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition, which launched in April, is centered on the theme "Exchanging and Mutual Learning, Co-create the Future." Nearly 4,000 artworks were submitted from across the five continents. After an online voting and expert review process, 38 winning pieces were selected.

In the course of participating in the "Vitural Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition, both Chinese and international netizens chose elements from the Forbidden City and Versailles Palace that reflect Chinese-French and global cultural exchanges to create artworks through an AI platform. Some were inspired by the interactions between Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and King Louis XIV, offering a fresh perspective into the encounter between the Chinese dragon (a unique cultural creation and spiritual symbol of the Chinese people) and the lily (the emblem of the French royal family). Others integrated French elements into Chinese ancient paintings, achieving a "new fusion" of realism and freehand brush work (a genre of Chinese traditional painting). Some drew inspiration from the architecture of both palaces to create a "new space" blending Eastern and Western styles, while others used language and writing to spark imagination, creating a "new aesthetic" through the interplay of Chinese characters and French words.

The reporters interviewed four of the Chinese and French winners, who shared how they expressed their understanding and appreciation of each other's culture, their inheritance and promotion of the "Chinese-French spirit," and their yearning and pursuit of a harmonious civilization through the combination of art and technology.

Amicable 'exchange of perspectives' 

In front of the magnificent Chinese-style palace, an angel with clasped hands and a charming Luduan (mythical Chinese beast) smile at each other, their eyes full of friendliness and anticipation… A Friend Comes from Afar by Chinese netizen Yuan Quan won first prize in the "Vitural Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition.

"The title of this work is taken from The Analects of Confucius (a classic of traditional Chinese culture) and reflects the Chinese value of cherishing friendship and communication. Confucian sages believed that interpersonal relationships and cultural exchanges could bring endless joy and opportunities for mutual growth," said Yuan, who hopes to express the deep friendship and harmonious communication between China and France through this artwork.

Yuan grew up in Beijing's Xicheng district and frequently visited the Forbidden City, which is close to his home, developing a profound connection to this imperial palace. To him, it is not only a treasure of ancient Chinese architecture but also a cultural landmark that carries countless historical stories. "I'm very interested in the architectural layout and craftsmanship of the Forbidden City, especially the glittering glazed tiles and the intricate dragon patterns, which left a deep impression on me," Yuan said.

During his years of living in Europe, Yuan visited France frequently. In his impression, the French are elegant and confident. They love freedom, excel at thinking, value family and friends like the Chinese, and have a deep interest in food, art, and philosophy, while maintaining a high standard of living. When visiting Versailles Palace, Yuan was struck by the magnificence and exquisite elegance of its gardens, noticing the many elements of Chinese culture within the palace, including luxurious rooms adorned with Chinese-style wallpapers, furniture, and porcelain figurines, gardens featuring uniquely shaped pavilions that reflect an appreciation of Chinese garden art. These details tell stories of Chinese-French cultural exchanges in history.

By chance, Yuan learned about the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition on social media and decided to participate. "AI painting is an emerging form of artistic expression that offers limitless possibilities for creative work. By participating in this event, I can reinterpret traditional culture with modern technology, while paying tribute to the Chinese-French cultures I love," Yuan said.

He chose the Luduan from the Forbidden City and the small angel statues often seen in Versailles as the central figures in his artwork. The Luduan is a mythical beast in Chinese legend, said to travel 18,000 li (about 9,000 kilometers)  a day and speak all languages. Yuan had taken his children to see the Palace Museum's original children's play Luduan, in which the Luduan was both majestic and filled with childlike charm, making a lasting artistic impact on him. "The Luduan and the angel are typical symbols of Eastern and Western cultures respectively. Their encounter and gaze show the beautiful scene of the two civilizations respecting and appreciating each other, symbolizing the hope for deeper cultural exchange between China and France, and the enduring blossoming of friendship through mutual understanding and cooperation," Yuan explained.

The entire creative process took over a month and involved nearly 100  adjustments and optimizations. Yuan drew on many photographic techniques during the creation, such as blurring the background to create a shallow depth-of-field effect, making the central figures more prominent; using soft tones to simulate the natural light of morning or dusk, highlighting the texture of the sculptures; and employing the golden ratio composition to position the angels and Luduan at the visual focus, resulting in a balanced and harmonious structure.

Yuan believes that Chinese-French cultural exchange has played a significant role in the innovative development of the world civilization, with mutual influences in architecture, art, and thought, producing rich cultural achievements. "I hope this cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation will deepen mutual understanding and inspire progress across global civilization," Yuan said.

A beautiful encounter

Earlier this year, when Luo Yuguo, an 8-year-old Chinese-French boy learned about the "Vitural Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition, and he attempted to depict the long-awaited scene in his heart: In the spring of the Forbidden City, with its red walls and yellow tiles, spring flowers in full bloom, a little boy dressed in a blue Hanfu sits on the stone steps, playing the ancient Chinese guqin, lost in the music.

"I hope one day I can bring my beloved guqin back to Beijing and play it in the ancient Forbidden City," said Luo, who created the AI painting titled The Melody of the Guqin, Spring Breezes, A Dream of the Ancient Capital, which won first prize in the competition.

A painting by Luo Yuguo

A painting by Luo Yuguo

Luo, who lives in Lyon, France, has been learning the guqin for nearly two years. His story with the guqin began during a Chinese calligraphy class at the Little Panda School in Lyon, founded by his mother, Luo Jian, a Chinese expatriate in France. Luo Yuguo grew up learning Chinese and Chinese culture at the school. In early 2023, during a Chinese calligraphy class, Luo Jian invited a Chinese guqin teacher to perform for the students, introducing them to the refined sound of the guqin along with the fragrance of ink. The ethereal sounds of the guqin deeply captivated Luo Yuguo, and under the teacher's guidance, he tried plucking the strings for the first time and became instantly hooked.

"When the teacher introduced the guqin as a musical instrument from China with a history of thousands of years, Luo Yuguo was particularly excited. He thought it was so cool and decided on the spot to learn it," recalled Luo Jian. The guqin seemed to have a magical power over Luo Yuguo. While learning the instrument can be tedious, he has persisted, with his deep interest never fading. Whenever he sits at the guqin, this usually lively and playful boy becomes particularly quiet. Sometimes Luo Jian plays famous guqin pieces like High Mountain and Flowing Water, and Luo Yuguo always listens attentively.

After nearly two years of study, Luo Yuguo not only mastered the basic finger skills of the guqin but also learned to read guqin notation. Earlier this year, he received his first guqin, which traveled with him all the way from China. It has become his most cherished possession. Whenever French friends visit their home, he proudly shows off his guqin. Playing a full piece of music and letting more people appreciate the beauty of the guqin has become his motivation for practicing.

Recently, after finishing a guqin practice, Luo Yuguo told his mother, "Mom, the next time we go back to Beijing, I'm definitely going to bring my guqin to the Forbidden City!" Luo Jian usually takes him back to Beijing every year to visit relatives. He has tasted the Peking duck and visited the Tiananmen Square, but he has yet to visit the Forbidden City. However, he has seen many of its photos and longs to visit it. His participation in the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition has made him even more eager to turn the scene from his painting into reality.

"Perhaps it's because he has half Chinese ancestry that Hugo feels a natural affinity for China and Chinese culture," said Luo Jian. In Luo Yuguo's eyes, everything related to China is full of charm. When introducing himself, he often playfully says, "I may look like my dad on the outside - with blond hair and fair skin - but my 'core' is just like my mom's - it's Chinese." For this young boy, China is not a distant country but another beautiful homeland.

Whenever possible, Luo Jian takes Luo Yuguo to various events promoting Chinese culture and Chinese-French exchange. Growing up immersed in these experiences, Luo Yuguo, a devoted "fan" of Chinese culture, has developed an even greater aspiration to master the Chinese language, attend university in China when he grows up, and eventually become an ambassador for Chinese-French friendship and cultural exchange.

Creative fusion 

Charlotte Jeanningros, a student from France, studies at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University in East China's Shanghai, and recently earned her PhD in International Arts. Her artwork Ming Rooster won second prize in the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition.

In May 2024, Jeanningros learned online about the competition's call for submissions. Having visited both the Palace of Versailles and the Forbidden City, she was impressed by the grandeur of their architecture and history, which each reflect the splendor of their respective cultures. "I told myself I had to participate in this competition because the dialogue between different cultures is such a fascinating theme," Jeanningros said.

A painting by Charlotte Jeanningros

A painting by Charlotte Jeanningros

When beginning her creation, Jeanningros wanted to blend defining elements of French and Chinese cultures. "The rooster is one of France's national symbols - it appears not only on church rooftops but also on football jerseys. There's even a saying that describes the French as 'proud as a rooster.' Meanwhile, Chinese porcelain is renowned worldwide, particularly Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) porcelain, which stands out for its distinctive blue tones and remarkable elegance," Jeanningros explained. She hoped to use AI technology to pair the French rooster with Ming Dynasty porcelain, creating an elegant and meaningful connection that would broaden perspectives, break artistic boundaries, and bridge tradition with modernity.

Born in Besançon, France, Jeanningros earned her master's degree from the National School of Fine Arts of Dijon. Her creative work often focuses on the relationship between individuals and their environments, and she enjoys using imagery to document her experiences in various settings.

In 2017, Jeanningros received an opportunity to study photography at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, marking her first visit to China. During her five-month stay in Hangzhou, she was struck by the stark contrast between the Chinese environment and her hometown in eastern France. "My village in eastern France is surrounded by mountains, forests, and rivers, characterized by tranquility and peace. In China, however, rapid economic and social development coexists with ancient traditions, leaving a profound impression on me," she said. That experience inspired her to continue her studies in China to deepen her understanding of Chinese culture and history.

After completing her master's degree, Jeanningros spent several months studying Chinese at Donghua University in Shanghai, before beginning her PhD at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts.

During her doctoral studies, Jeanningros participated in many exhibitions, created videos for her university, and served as a workshop instructor for the E-Art French Art Academy Alliance, teaching "French Art Practices." Many of her projects were related to Chinese culture. For example, she worked on a short film about Chinese intangible cultural heritage, which contributes to a segment on lanterns.

"I'm currently preparing an art exhibition exploring the connection between France and China, which will open in December in Hangzhou. One of my pieces will be featured," Jeanningros shared about her recent projects.

"When I studied in France, I mainly focused on topics like culture, tradition, and cultural identity. After coming to China, I expanded my areas of exploration and became more aware of the diversity and differences between cultures," Jeanningros said. She expressed hope for more opportunities for cultural exchange between the two countries in the future. "These exchanges are vital for both sides, as they allow people to reflect on their own culture through the lens of the nother. France and China are old friends, and I believe the two nations will further strengthen their cooperation and exchange in the future."

Exploring exchange through cultural mirrors

Wang Jingchuan, a small food business owner from Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, created the captivating and conceptually rich Sky Mirror of the Forbidden City and Versailles, which won second prize in the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition.

Born in 1998, Wang is an archetypal "slash youth (referring to those refusing to be defined or bound by just one personal identity and choosing multiple careers)." At university, he studied product design, receiving formal training in design theory and practice. Motivated by his love for food, he also earned certifications in coffee brewing and baking. After graduation, choosing a path outside of design, he co-founded a small food business in Chongqing with friends. "Although this work is unrelated to my field of study, it has taught me how creativity and effort can bring more beauty to life," Wang said.

A painting by Wang Jingchuan

A painting by Wang Jingchuan

While satisfying customers' taste buds through food, Wang continued to nurture his passion for design. He often experiments with new creative approaches. Earlier this year, he came across the "Virtual Tour of the Forbidden City and Versailles" AI Painting Competition on social media. The theme of combining Chinese and Western cultural elements immediately resonated with him. "As a design student, I've always been fascinated by the interplay of Chinese and Western cultures," Wang explained. He saw the competition as an opportunity to blend his professional skills with his personal interests and to deepen his understanding of Chinese-French cultural exchanges.

After careful consideration, Wang developed the concept of "cultural mirrors," by contrasting between the Forbidden City and Versailles to explore Chinese-French cultural exchanges.

In the upper half of his painting, he incorporated architectural elements of the Forbidden City, showcasing the grandeur and refinement of traditional Chinese architecture. The dominant colors - ultramarine and blue - symbolize tranquility and depth in Chinese culture. These are accented with gold to highlight the Forbidden City's regal and solemn nature. The lower half of the painting depicts the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, featuring its iconic golden decorations and geometric patterns, which convey the romanticism of European Baroque style. The mirrored surfaces and crystal chandeliers not only highlight Versailles' artistic characteristics but also add layers and depth to the composition through visual reflection.

"The two ancient palaces, mirroring each other, represent exchange and mutual enrichment between Chinese and French cultures," Wang explained. Despite their different styles, both palaces embody the rich cultural heritage of their respective nations. Wang hopes viewers of his painting will appreciate the beauty of different cultures and reflect on the importance of preserving cultural diversity.

Throughout the creative process, "refinement" became a key theme. The quick feedback and enhanced creativity enabled by AI tools also played a critical role. "The advent of AI is a revolution in design. It not only helps us quickly generate references but also simulates various design styles, significantly improving efficiency," Wang said. For this project, he used AI tools to generate patterns and test color combinations, allowing him to focus more on the creative concept itself.

"Cultural exchange is essential for us to enhance understanding and deepen friendship," Wang noted. In his view, Chinese culture emphasizes solemnity and harmony, while French culture values romance and freedom. The two cultures, though distinct, complement each other. "This competition is not just a platform for celebrating artistic expression but also an opportunity to experience the charm of cultural integration. I hope such activities will help young people from different countries better understand and appreciate each other's cultures."