WERELDMUSEUM
MADE IN CHINA
A GLOBAL STORY OF MAKING The label “Made in China” appears on objects everywhere. From clothing and electronics to ceramics and everyday tools, it has become one of the most familiar markers of production worldwide. Yet behind this common label lies a remarkable and much longer history of making. For thousands of years, China has been a centre of innovation in materials, techniques and craftsmanship. Objects made of silk, porcelain and lacquer travelled across continents and shaped cultures far beyond China’s borders.
MADE IN CHINA explores this extraordinary history of making, from ancient craftsmanship to contemporary art and design. Bringing together historical objects, fashion, photography, poetry, film and contemporary design the exhibition reveals how makers have responded and given shape to the world around them and continue to do so today.
Through the lens of Chinese making, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider how and why objects are created, and how making shapes the ways we live.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION MADE IN CHINA explores the long and vibrant culture of making in China. Spanning more than four thousand years, the exhibition brings together approximately 350 objects ranging from Neolithic ceramics to contemporary fashion, photography, and media art. Rather than focusing on a single dynasty or craft tradition, MADE IN CHINA's unique approach presents a versatile perspective on the past and present of Chinese making and its global entanglements. The exhibition explores how objects are made, why people make them, and how making shapes cultures and societies.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT A defining feature of MADE IN CHINA is the dialogue between historical craftsmanship and contemporary makers. The exhibition includes works by over thirty contemporary makers from China, including artists, designers and master craftspeople. Among them are internationally recognized figures such as Cao Fei, Yang Yongliang, Susan Fang and Feng Chen Wang. Many of these makers draw inspiration from traditional techniques while responding to contemporary themes such as sustainability, technology and globalization.
Several works were created specifically for the exhibition, adding a unique and contemporary dimension to the presentation.
2. Trade networks explores the long history of the THE STORY OF MAKING The exhibition starts with an audiovisual introduction which immerses the visitor in diverse maker spaces through images and sounds recently recorded in China. Thereafter the show is organised into six thematic sections that together explore the many dimensions of making.
1. Making in China presents a history of making in what we call China today, and how this has been shaped by the natural environment and important events.
global demand for products “made in China” and the routes through which they travelled across continents, from the Ancient Silk Roads down to the current Belt-and-Road Initiative.
3. Materials and techniques focuses on the knowledge and skill of makers, highlighting a wide range of materials including ceramics, bamboo, lacquer, ink, silk and paper.
4. Mass production examines the long history of large-scale production in China, including early forms of organized manufacturing and modular dating back to the 3rd century BCE. It also reflects on the environmental and humanitarian costs of contemporary mass production in the “factory of the world”.
5. The art of copying challenges Western ideas about imitation and originality by exploring copying as a method of learning, devotion, innovation and creative transformation.
6. Makers of today presents ten contemporary artists, designers and craftspeople who reflect on the changing world around them through their work.
VISITOR EXPERIENCE MADE IN CHINA combines historical objects with contemporary art, film and interactive installations to create an engaging exhibition experience. Visitors encounter makers at work through extensive audiovisual material and explore craftsmanship through hands-on elements that reveal the materials and techniques behind the objects. Many exclusive interviews were filmed in China especially for this exhibition to enable makers to share their own story. The exhibition includes: ◾ Approximately 350 objects. Spanning 4,000 years ◾ 25 audiovisual productions (130 minutes of film material) ◾ 3 digital interactives exploring trade, Chinese characters, and
ceramic imitation ◾ 4 audio stories about key objects ◾ Hands-on materials and tools exploring craftsmanship
Together these elements offer audiences an immersive and accessible introduction to the culture of making and the views of Chinese makers today.
HIGHLIGHTS The exhibition presents an exceptional diversity of objects, ranging from ancient artefacts to contemporary artworks and design. Highlights include: ◾ A Neolithic ceramic storage jar dating to
around 2000 BCE ◾ Intricately carved objects ◾ Contemporary fashion by Susan Fang, Feng Chen Wang, and Ma Ke ◾ Poetry by factory workers ◾ Yang Yongliang’s photographic work Phantom Landscape IIIl - Triptych ◾ The world’s most accurate reconstructions of Terracotta soldiers in full colour ◾ Lacquerware by National Crafts Master Gan Erke
Dong Quanbin, Transformation Series No.1 (2015), porcelain, recent acquisition
Approximately 300 objects come from the Wereldmuseum collection, which holds around 25,000 objects from the Chinese cultural region. Additional loans come from institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Rijksmuseum and Tate Modern.
Feng Chen Wang, MADE IN CHINA (2017), Loan from V&A
Storage jar (c. 2000 BCE), earthenware, RV-3041-1
WHY HOST MADE IN CHINA MADE IN CHINA offers museums a visually rich and intellectually engaging exhibition that connects historical craftsmanship with contemporary creativity. The exhibition provides audiences with a fresh perspective on the objects that shape everyday life while highlighting the global history of making. Key strengths include: ◾ A broad overview of Chinese making across more than
four thousand years ◾ A strong dialogue between historical objects and contemporary makers ◾ Works by and exclusive interviews with internationally recognised artists and designers ◾ Immersive audiovisual material and interactive elements ◾ Themes that resonate with global audiences
“Beautiful and eye-opening experience, from now on I will never think of ‘Made in China’ in the same way.”
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ◾ Size: approx. 800 m² ◾ Objects: approx. 350 ◾ Collection Wereldmuseum: approx. 300 objects
2 Trade Networks
1 Making in China
◾ Loans: approx. 30 objects from 16 lenders ◾ Audiovisual material: 25 AV productions
+ 4 audio stories ◾ Total film material: 130 minutes ◾ Interactives: 3 digital installations and dozens
of hands-on objects
3 Materials & Techniques
4 Mass production
5 Art of Copying
6 Makers of Today
TOURING PACKAGE The travelling exhibition includes:
◾ Exhibition concept and storyline ◾ Object list (loans to be discussed) ◾ Exhibition texts
(Dutch, English and Mandarin Chinese) ◾ Audiovisual productions ◾ Interactive installations ◾ Props for hands-on experience ◾ Design guidelines and visual material ◾ Information about our education
and public programs is available
Additional information on technical requirements and financial arrangements is available upon request.
For questions or more information, please email marieke.vanbommel@wereldmuseum.nl
WERELDMUSEUM
Photography by Aad Hoogendoorn, Kaka Lee & Matjaž Tančič