Today, Thursday August 8th, an online ceremony was held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between La Biennale di Venezia and the China Academy of Art (CAA) in Hangzhou (Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China) for a mutual interest collaboration in the field of the contemporary arts, of architecture, dance, music, theatre and cinema, to be achieved through the realisation of exhibition and research programmes, editorial activities, international lectures and seminars.
The Understanding, which was initiated with the collaboration and the support of the Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai and the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, takes place within the context of the Committee for the Celebrations for the 700th Anniversary of the Death of Marco Polo (1324 – 2024) and will develop a Special Project of the Historical Archive of La Biennale (ASAC).
The President of La Biennale di Venezia, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, declared: “I am thrilled and honored to sign this agreement today, marking the friendship between two centuries-old institutions - La Biennale di Venezia and the China Academy of Art. I am confident that what we celebrate and build under the legacy of Marco Polo will forge a deep connection between China and Venice, particularly between what Venice offers the world through La Biennale and what China is preparing for the future”.
The President of the China Academy of Art, Gao Shiming, stated: “The China Academy of Art has always believed that the mission of art lies in discovering the world and exploring humanity. Furthermore, we see education as responsible for preserving and nurturing individuals. We look forward to collaborating with the President and colleagues of La Biennale di Venezia to explore and inspire change, so that art might once again become a powerful force driving the unity, progress, and creativity of human society”.
The first stage of the Project will take place in the city of Hangzhou, home of the CAA, where the first exhibition will be hosted by the CAA Art Museum in the fall of 2024.
The China Academy of Art (CAA) is a university at the cutting-edge of the art world, which aims to enhance Chinese art in sectors such as design, theatre, cinema, television, and architecture.
