September 27, 2011 (Washington, DC) – Thursday evening the Meridian International Center (Washington, D.C.) and Ren Jian Ci Hua Company (Jingdezhen, China), with support from the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, hosted members of the diplomatic, international arts, and journalistic communities at a private opening reception for a unique Chinese porcelain painting exhibition taking place in the United States.
This presentation is the sixth in a series of exhibits organized over the last decade by Meridian's Art for Cultural Diplomacy program with Chinese partners. It is also the first exhibition developed through the much-celebrated Memorandum of Understanding between Meridian International Center and the China International Culture Association. This Memorandum has created a new framework for the expansion of bilateral U.S.-China cultural exchanges, further strengthening and improving relations between the two nations.
The 56 works of porcelain art, curated by Meridian's Senior Vice President for the Arts, Dr. Curtis Sandberg, in conjunction with Chinese partners, created the perfect setting to showcase Chinese culture, which included a performance by famed Mongolian chorale Anda Union, savory hors d'ouevres, and one of a kind hand-painted porcelain spoons from Jingdezhen for each guest. Members of the international arts community in attendance to greet H.E. Cai Wu, Minister of Culture of the People's Republic of China included, former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President & CEO, Meridian International Center, Ambassador Sharon P. Wilkinson, Senior Vice President & Deputy, Meridian International Center, Alicia Adams, Vice President of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Candace Katz, Deputy Director, President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Madame Luo Yinggui of Ren Jian Ci Hua, Chen Ping, President, National Center for the Performing Arts, People's Republic of China, Meryl Chertoff, Meridian Board of Trustees and Tom Hamm, Public Diplomacy Coordinator for the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs.
This is the first time an exhibition featuring Chinese painted porcelain from Jingdezhen has been presented in the United States. The display brings together artists of different backgrounds and philosophies, linked by their common appreciation of the ancient ceramic capital of China. Jingdezhen remains an exciting center of innovation for artists exploring ways to transform ancient traditions into art that is relevant in the 21st century. The display will be free and open to the public from September 23, 2011 - January 15, 2012, Wed-Fri, 2pm-7pm; Sat & Sun, 12pm-6pm, in the Cafritz Galleries of the White-Meyer House, located at 1624 Crescent Place, NW.
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About Meridian: Meridian International Center’s mission is to strengthen international understanding and serve as a center of innovation for engaging the public sector, private sector and diplomatic community in an exchange of people, ideas and culture. For more information, visit www.meridian.org
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