Festival offers an artistic philosophical journey

The classic texts Tao Te Ching quoted Laozi, the legendary philosopher, as saying, "Bright but not dazzling; still waters run deep", which points to a philosophical take on how one should conduct themselves and socialize. It also developed into an aesthetic view stating that the greatest beauty lies in the silence and depths.

The inaugural Tan Mujiang Art Festival is offering a vivid representation of this insight by gathering works by contemporary artists and fine craftsmanship. The festival was recently unveiled at the 3.3 Mall in Beijing's Sanlitun area, offering a peaceful space amid the bustling surrounding streets until Oct 31.

Jia Wei's installations show a realm where shi, or the fullness, and xu, the emptiness, generate each other as the classical Chinese philosophy asserts; the deep cuts in Jiang Miao's paintings usher the audience into an emotional journey through life's rails and recycling; in his sculptures, Lu Zhengyuan exhibits the peace and stability of the world order.

These works are on display along with elegant wooden objects that celebrate heritage and the workmanship of generations — carving, filigree, mother-of-pearl inlaying, and lacquer coating. The juxtaposition pays homage to a spiritual self-cultivation led by ancient intellectuals.