Three Decades of Sisterhood! CAA and MAU Sign A Friendly Cooperation Agreement and Hold An Exhibition of Printmaking Works Created by Faculty and Students at ZJAM

pubdate: 2024/11/16   author: zjam  source: zjam  click:

On November 8, China Academy of Art (CAA) and Musashino Art University (MAU) convened a signing ceremony to formalize their friendly cooperation and held a symposium on the exhibition of printmaking works created by faculty and students at ZJAM. This event marked a new height of the cooperation between the two institutions in the realm of art education. Both parties will further deepen their exchanges, share resources, and jointly establish a wider platform for nurturing artistic talents and conducting academic research.

Jin Yibin, secretary of the Party Committee of the CAA, and Sachikazu Kabayama, president of the MAU, signed a friendly cooperation agreement on behalf of the respective institutions.

Jin Yibin delivering a speech

In his speech, Jin Yibin reflected on the three decades of partnership between the two institutions. He noted that since the inception of their sister university relationship, both institutions have maintained a shared passion for art education, engaging in a variety of fruitful collaborations, including joint teaching, creative workshops, painting exhibitions, faculty exchanges, and joint training of master’s and doctoral candidates. This event was not only a summary of the educational achievements for the past 30 years, but also a new starting point for both parties to expand the scope and depth of their cooperation.

Sachikazu Kabayama delivering a speech

Sachikazu Kabayama spoke highly of the collaboration between the two institutions. He highlighted the CAA’s position as the first partner to the MAU in international cooperation and exchange, which has started the profound and meaningful partnerships in exchange programs. He indicated that this exchange was based on the consensus of providing developmental opportunities for young students majoring in art and that such cross-cultural dialogues would foster deeper development of both institutions and their students alike.

At the symposium

At the symposium, leaders and faculty representatives from both institutions engaged in an active discussion on deepening cooperation. Shen Hao, Vice President of the CAA, noted that ongoing visits between the institutions and a deep understanding of each other are essential for fostering mutual development. Toshiya Takahama, deputy president of the MAU, remarked that the shared interests and exchanges between Chinese and Japanese students would stimulate more innovative outcomes. Zhang Yuanfan, a senior professor from the Department of Printmaking at the CAA, reflected on the advancements made in the partnership over the past three decades and expressed his strong hopes for the continued stability of the relationship moving forward. Noriyuki Shinohara, deputy president of the MAU, was gratified to witness the exchange activities initiated by the students of the two institutions.

At the opening ceremony

At the same time, “Exhibition of Printmaking Works Created by Faculty and Students of the CAA and the MAU in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Sister Universities” was held at ZJAM. Jin Yibin, Sachikazu Kabayama, Shen Hao, Zhang Yuanfan, and Ryuta Endo, dean of the Printmaking Department in the MAU, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches, respectively. Wang Chao, deputy dean of the Academy of Painting Arts in the CAA, who is also the curator of this exhibition, acted as the moderator of the opening ceremony.

Liu Zheng, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the CAA; Toshiya Takahama, Noriyuki Shinohara and Yasuhisa Yamamoto, deputy presidents of the MAU; Zhao Yang, former dean of the Department of Industrial Design in the CAA; Wu Xiaohua, a member and supervisor of the Academic Committee in the CAA; Ying Jinfei, curator of ZJAM; Zhu Weiming, Chen Zhichuan, Wu Jide, Zhang Yuan, Li Yitai, Gu Juyi, Zhang Minjie, and Zhou Chongzhang, who are senior professors of the CAA, as well as heads of the relevant departments and representatives of faculty and students from both institutions, attended the opening ceremony.

Shen Hao delivering a speech

Shen Hao pointed out that China and Japan have a long history of cultural exchanges and that printmaking art, as a distinctive art form, embodies both historical profoundness and cultural diversity. In the 21st century, notable and unique achievements have been made in the realm of printmaking in both nations. China and Japan are separated by a narrow strip of water and have many shared cultural genes. He expected to collaborate with the partners from the MAU to deliver the shared value of art in the world under the unique framework of Eastern art and develop art education into an open endeavor that touches the heart.

Sachikazu Kabayama delivering a speech

Sachikazu Kabayama indicated that this printmaking exhibition commemorated the 30th anniversary of the friendly agreement between the two institutions. He was confident that the two institutions will take this exhibition as an opportunity to conduct more beneficial and positive exchanges on the basis of the extensive mutual dialogues that have been going on over the years. He believed that the partnership between the two institutions will develop to be more lasting and extensive, connecting them closely and cultivating more talents. He underscored the importance of sustaining such exchanges and continuing to create works with the goal of building a harmonious world in mind.

Zhang Yuanfan delivering a speech

Zhang Yuanfan recalled his visit to the MAU three decades ago, during which he witnessed the signing of the friendly exchange agreement between the sister universities. The outcomes of the printmaking exchange between China and Japan have become a source of nutrition for both parties at work. He contended that such exchange encompasses concepts, styles, techniques and many more dimensions, with influence on both a group of beneficiaries and individuals. As he noted, the exchanges between the two institutions meet mutual needs, open a new chapter for both, and promote mutual assistance and progress, which is advantageous not only in the present but also in the future.

Ryuta Endo delivering a speech

Ryuta Endo said that printmaking artists from both nations have made concerted efforts to realize the common goal of “establishing and promoting printmaking as art”, focusing on the relevant educational sites in art universities. Building a new concept of printmaking that reflects the spirit of the times based on the historical continuity of persistent inquiry into the question of “what is printmaking as art” by printmaking artists from Japan and China is a shared goal for printmaking and other artistic disciplines, and it also underscores the most significant value of this exhibition.

Wang Chao, one of the curators for this exhibition, explained that the partnership and exchanges between the CAA and the MAU have been maintained for more than four decades. Printmaking, as a vital academic discipline shared by both institutions, has created a platform for cultural and artistic dialogues between China and Japan. The two institutions should take this printmaking exhibition as an opportunity to promote further cooperation and development in the future. The works displayed in this exhibition are selected from the recent creations of the faculty and students from the CAA and the MAU, showcasing a broad array of themes and styles. Some of the works provide modern interpretations of traditional spirits, while others include insightful observations on contemporary society. They employ various perspectives, techniques, and vocabularies to create a colorful visual feast of printmaking.

Faced with changes in the times, the CAA will gather global cultural and artistic resources with a more open mind. It will strive to achieve creative transformation and innovative development of the excellent traditional culture. The success of this event not only reinforced the artistic connections between the two institutions, but also set an example for exchanges and cooperation in art education between China and Japan. Both parties will persist in their joint efforts towards the inheritance and innovation of art, while jointly exploring new models of international cooperation in art education.