The "Forest Book Garden" by the Grand Canal has added a new touch of contemporary art. On August 13, the "Set Sail: 2024 CAFA Graduates Exhibition" opened in the basement exhibition hall of the Beijing Library. Nearly 50 outstanding works by graduates of the Central Academy of Fine Arts are showcased in the 1,300-square-meter exhibition space, setting sail at the Beijing Library.

The exhibition showcases the creative achievements of the 2024 outstanding graduates from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. The exhibited works cover a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, installation art, and digital art, offering a unique perspective that highlights the vibrant creativity of the younger generation of artists.

At the exhibition, the artwork "Paper Kite Wander" uses interactive technology to give traditional kites new vitality and forms of expression, attracting many visitors to experience it. In the classic landscape painting, lush green trees and pavilions are depicted, with a real kite string extending from the middle of the painting. When the spool is pulled, the kite flies higher and higher. Visitors can experience the fun of controlling the kite within the painting by adjusting the tension of the string in real time.

The exhibition features the artwork "Red Line Motion," inspired by the traditional Chinese folk game of string figures, utilizing advanced interactive technology. It uses lines as visual elements, allowing each participant to engage in a modern version of the game. Through virtual lines, the skeletal points of participants' hands are interconnected, weaving a unique abstract pattern. The sculpture "It's Raining," which gained popularity at this year's Central Academy of Fine Arts graduation exhibition, is also on display. In the piece, a child gazes up at the sky, meeting the eyes of the viewer and evoking a nostalgic reflection of one's own childhood.

On that day, the Capital Library of China also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Central Academy of Fine Arts. In the future, they will leverage their respective resources to engage in multi-faceted art exchange and collaboration, jointly creating a platform for artistic exchange and cooperation, and advancing cultural services in the capital. During the exhibition, various activities, including art salons, will be held. Drawing on the deep cultural heritage of the Capital Library of China as an urban memory institution and the artistic creativity of the Central Academy of Fine Arts as China’s top art education institution, the exhibition aims to provide the public with a richer artistic experience. The exhibition will run until September 17.

Translator: BAI Jing

Reviewer: Ding Hongwei