On the evening of April 28th, the Bai'etan Greater Bay Area Art Center, nestled at the south of Yunshan and the center of Pearl River, was officially inaugurated, marking the opening of the new Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, and Guangdong Literature Museum.
Located in Liwan District by the Bai'etan, where three rivers converge, the Art Center was designed by the esteemed team led by Academician He Jingtang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. With a total construction area of over 140,000 square meters and an exhibition space of 40,000 square meters, the structure is reminiscent of a ship moored on the banks of the Pearl River, symbolizing a vessel with the treasures of Lingnan culture ready to set sail.
The Art Center aims to become a landmark for Lingnan culture, a leisure destination for the public, and a hub for regional exchange. The "cultural vessel" embarks from the banks of the Pearl River, marking a new course in building a culturally strong province and fostering a humane greater bay area.
The inauguration began with resonant drumbeats and featured eight lions in a lively display of Lingnan's spirited culture. Along the Pearl River, the night was vibrant with lights as the "Songs of Bai'etan" variety show commenced simultaneously. The show, integrating traditional and modern elements of the Greater Bay Area's culture with the Art Center, showcased the unique charm of Lingnan culture.
With the official launch of the Art Center, a series of opening events followed. Notably, the Guangdong Museum of Art introduced an exhibition featuring over a thousand artworks by more than 700 artists.
The branch of the Guangdong Museum of Art, with 21 exhibition halls and extensive public art areas, together with the Er Sha Island branch, forms a new "one museum, two areas" pattern, marking a significant development in the over 20-year history of the Guangdong Museum of Art. From its inception, the Art Center has adhered to the principle that "cultural development is for the people and relies on the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people", establishing a new platform, space, and model for high-quality cultural offerings. It provides visitors with a diverse range of cultural services that include exhibitions, performances, tours, shopping, and entertainment.
Fan Di'an, President of CHINA ARTISTS ASSOCIATION, commented that the opening exhibitions showcase both Western art classics and the fine traditions of Guangdong art, as well as new thematic works by prominent national and local artists. These works focus on Guangdong's practices and significant achievements in the Chinese path to modernization, and celebrate the era in the form of art, aiming to unify the people's spirit and elevate the level of societal aesthetics.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
