To foster an academic atmosphere, establish an exchange platform, and assist museum staff in enhancing their professional skills, the Secretariat of the Academic Committee of the China Grand Canal Museum initiated the “CGCM Academic Forum” to leverage the academic leadership of the Academic Committee.

On the morning of May 27, the first session of the CGCM Academic Forum was successfully conducted. This session of the forum features a scholarly presentation titled “Cultivation – Curatorial Logic and Spatial Construction” by Wu Hongliang, a member of the Academic Committee. Xu Fei and Chen Jingjing, deputy directors of the CGCM, along with over 60 museum staff members, attended the academic forum.

Expert Introduction

Forum Details

Wu Hongliang began his presentation by drawing from his personal curatorial experience and structured his lecture around two main focal points: curatorial logic and spatial construction. He provided an explanation by exploring the term “策略” (meaning strategy). By analyzing the several meanings of the character “策” (meaning plans), he underscored the need for effective curation to embrace unconventional curatorial ideas. Drawing from “略” (meaning astuteness), he concluded that outstanding curation necessitates setting boundaries and structuring thought processes.

At the forum, Wu Hongliang shared several past curatorial cases, offering the audience a broader range of curatorial concepts and ideas. He pointed out that in recent years, many museums and art galleries have moved away from the traditional chronological exhibition approach, opting instead for elaborate spatial design and interactive experiences. This shift underscores the significance of striking a delicate balance between curatorial logic and content in the curation process. Wu likened curation to cultivation and drew a comparison between a curator and a swordsman. He advocated for curators to continuously reshape their values and ideas. He believes that museums and art galleries serve as “sorting stations of history, laboratories of the present, and stepping stones of the future”. Wu borrowed the phrase “neither fond of mediocrity, nor weary of repetitiveness” from Qi Baishi, a renowned Chinese painter of the 19th and 20th centuries, to inspire curators to value the deep significance of exhibitions and continually explore and encounter fresh ideas within their exhibitions.

Wu Hongliang’s academic insights from the standpoint of modern art were expansive, content-rich, and engaging with intriguing case studies. His contributions not only provided significant value to the young individuals at the CGCM but also sparked profound contemplation among the audience regarding exhibitions.