CRI听力:Qingdao Sculpture Park transforms into a popular public art space

Autumn is arguably the most beautiful season in China's city of Qingdao. During this period, the city's Sculpture Park that covers eight hectares of green space, is composed of picturesque gardens and hosts various artistic exhibitions.

Lately, the park has increasingly become a popular public space for displaying and viewing art; and as a result, it has received raving reviews for its unique sculptures. CRI's Nillah Nyakoa takes a closer look what makes the Qingdao Sculpture Park stand out from the rest.

From April each year, Qingdao ushers in the peak tourist season with some delightful exhibitions held one after the other in the Qingdao Sculpture Park. These exhibitions that last until October enable tourists to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of sculptures.

The park's management says it will never be a statically boring park because half the year, it's devoted to hosting a variety of sculptural events, which aim to not only excite visitors but also enhance their knowledge about sculpting.

Ye Dongwei is the deputy director at the sculpture exhibition hall inside the park. Together with her colleagues, their main job includes brainstorming ideas on how best to utilize these eight hectares of green land and transform it into a popular public art space.

"Many Chinese cities build sculpture parks. Generally speaking, they can't change their sculptures, so eventually it's just merely a park. We don't want to be the same. We hope to provide visitors with something fresh and new each time and make them constantly feel pleasantly surprised."
 

Currently the park is exhibiting a number of sculptures sourced from The Belt and Road countries. The sculptures are made by nearly 140 sculptors from 21 countries.

Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China, is the academic advisor for this exhibition.

"This exhibition has gathered artists from The Belt and Road countries into this Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. By bringing together their artworks in various artistic styles, the exhibition will lead to an in-depth, emotional communication among artists."
 

There are 46 works by artists from other nations, like Belarus, Romania, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Israel, Greece, Egypt, Singapore, South Korea and Lithuania. Each sculpture exudes its delicate design theme and graceful form. They also embody their respective cultural characteristics.

Christina Josivova is a Bulgarian artist. She explains her interpretation of her work dubbed, the Silk Road Spirit.

"In ancient times, people travelled from one country to another. They made business and exchanged cultures. When they travelled, they would bring their own cultures to other nations as they crossed the borders. This is the connection of the Silk Road."
 

Josivova's work for this exhibition employs the use of marble in making her sculptures stand out.

Another sculptor Yin Xiaofeng wants to tell Chinese stories through his artistic creations.

"I exhibit a series of interactive artworks. Through interactions, not only can ordinary people share their thoughts and express their feelings but also cultural exchanges are conducted among artists."
 

For many, this is a high-level exhibition at a free and open public art space in Qingdao. In Ye Dongwei's mind, the exhibition is also suitable for ordinary citizens to visit and enjoy.

"Abstract works are more prominent in this exhibition, with many statues sculpted out from various stones. Even though all these artworks differ in their artistic style; they are not difficult to interpret. I hope everyone can come here and see for themselves."
 

The Qingdao Sculpture Park is also an educational base. Previously it has hosted big significant exhibitions including one last August to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Artists from Shandong Province exhibited their tribute to the Army through their sculptures.

Shang Changhong is an associate professor at Shandong University of Art and Design.

"My sculpture series is titled Taishan Soul, which is composed of more than 30 human characters. It mainly tells typical stories from Shandong about the local's fight against Japanese aggressors, including tunnel and landmine warfares, as well as that of land reforms."
 

Zuo Yaoguo is an artist who brings his artwork including "Six Sisters from Yimeng" and whose other works are also inspired by femininity.

"The Chinese communist military commander Chen Yi said Shandong local citizens have made huge contributions to the Huaihai campaign, so my statues mainly demonstrate the intimate relationship between the army and the local residents, for example those doing laundry for the soldiers, carrying stretchers, and also how local people gave support to the army in the battlefield."
 

In recent years, the Qingdao Sculpture Park has hosted a number of major exhibitions that match international standards. Each year, it continues to attract thousands of visitors from home and abroad. As the numbers of visitors grows, the park's administration hope to exhibit more unique statues to keep the crowds coming. But in the meantime, those who haven't visited the ongoing exhibition are urged to do so before this year's display comes to an end.