On April 19, 2025, the lecture “Encountering the World in Art” was held at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University as part of its lecture series, attracting nearly 200 participants.
The event featured a keynote speech by Marc Verriere, the Founding Chairman of the International Olympic Art Committee, and a profound panel discussion with distinguished guests from the fields of art, communication, and public cultural practice. Panelists included Ma Sai, Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University; Hang Min, Vice Dean of the Tsinghua University School of Journalism and Communication, and Dong Yuhui, Head of Yuhui Tongxing (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
The AADTHU Lecture
The Lecture was moderated by Yang Dongjiang, Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University. The discussions centered on topics such as the globalization of art, the reaffirmation of humanistic values, and the global vision for youth engagement.
Marc Verriere
Marc Verriere delivered a keynote speech titled “The Globalization of Art and the Revival of Olympic Art,” focusing on the historical origins and future prospects of Olympic art. He introduced the upcoming Olympic Art Competition, themed “Environment and Energy,” which aims to inspire artists to combine creativity with public responsibility, addressing the contemporary global issues of sustainable development. The competition includes categories such as animation, architecture, dance, literature, ceramics, painting, photography, and video games, reflecting the development of contemporary multi-media culture.
Verriere emphasized that artistic competition has been a part of Olympic tradition since ancient Greece. Art is never subordinate to competitive sports but remains a shared spiritual language of humanity. Unlike Olympic sports, Olympic art emphasizes spiritual equality, focusing on the values, emotions, and creativity conveyed through works, which can transcend cultural and identity contexts to generate broader resonance. He repeatedly highlighted the humanistic spirit carried and upheld by Olympic art. Faced with a world of turbulence and change, Verriere stated that art should serve as a “swift” connecting and resolving conflicts, with artists as bearers and disseminators of humanistic ideals. He quoted Fyodor Dostoyevsky, “Beauty will save the world,” calling for the power of art to rebuild trust and understanding between people and cultures, considering beauty the foundation of peace and happiness and the softest yet strongest bridge in the community of shared human destiny. He urged Chinese youth to join hands with their counterparts worldwide in the wave of artistic globalization.
Panel Discussion Session
During the panel discussion, Verriere further noted that youth are the key force driving cultural future, advocating for establishing ongoing cooperation mechanisms among art universities to use art as a bridge to form organic connections between different countries and disciplines.
Panelists: Ma Sai, Hang Min, Dong Yuhui
Moderated by Yang Dongjiang, Ma Sai, Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and Director of the Tsinghua University Olympic Art Research Center, shared that the Academy of Arts & Design has long been involved in the artistic design of various major international sports events. Founded in 2021, the Tsinghua University Olympic Art Research Center, led by the Academy of Arts & Design, collaborates with multiple disciplines to build an interdisciplinary research and practice ecosystem in art, technology, education, and sports. Ma pointed out that the Olympic movement embodies humanistic values that transcend national boundaries, such as peace and inclusiveness, with art being one of the most potent expression tools.
From the perspective of international communication, Hang Min, Vice Dean of the Tsinghua University School of Journalism and Communication, emphasized that art is an essential medium for constructing value consensus in cross-cultural dialogue. In the current context where populism and de-globalization trends intertwine, cultural identity faces new challenges. Art is not just creation but also a process of communication, transmission, and connection. In promoting the global dissemination of art, the synergy of education, media, and cross-cultural mechanisms is indispensable. The School of Journalism and Communication will actively contribute to building a more public and communicative global art ecosystem.
Dong Yuhui, Head of Yuhui Tongxing (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., stated that world-disseminable art must root deeply in local cultural soil. Using examples, he explained that young creators need to immerse themselves in the field, drawing spiritual nourishment from cultural heritage. He believes that truly touching works might not always be the most straightforward but are often “implicit narratives” that resonate deeply within, requiring creators to imbue their works with emotional, meaningful, and memorable depths for broader and more lasting understanding and recognition.
Group Photo
The discussion concluded in an enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere, with reflections on art and the world continuing to thrive.
