Returning to the quiet wisdom of ancient China

Each studio explores a different aspect of ancient Chinese cultural life, revealing its richness, diversity and elegance. Visitors can appreciate the delicate texture of finely processed rice paper; experience the ritual of burning incense, intended not only to calm the mind but also to foster a connection with nature; and enjoy the pleasures of drinking tea and listening to the guqin in moments of quiet reflection.

The exhibition also introduces plant-based pigments used in traditional painting and textile dyeing, along with tools associated with various forms of recreation. Together, these objects reflect the ingenuity and wisdom of people in the past, who sought to make everyday life more beautiful and comfortable.

The displays also evoke the traditional philosophy of scholarship and craftsmanship known as gewu zhizhi — investigating things in order to extend knowledge. Artists and craftspeople of the past devoted considerable time and painstaking effort to understanding materials, exploring their possibilities, and turning that knowledge into works of art and objects of everyday use. In doing so, the exhibition opens a dialogue with audiences about the enduring vitality of a slower, more deliberate approach to working and creating.

"The keen sensitivity to life possessed by ancient scholars has left us a wealth of treasures," Lin says. "Perhaps, after a lifetime of being busy, there comes a moment when one feels: I need to stop and learn how to live well."