“Those who embody the great value in international exchanges are often ordinary yet shining.”

Three years ago, student and faculty representatives from Kagoshima Prefecture visited the Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design. During this time, Professor Hui Chen of the academy’s Department of Sculpture taught a class in clay sculpture for the visitors. In class, Marina Nakamata, a student in Kagoshima University’s sculpture department in the Faculty of Education, took the initiative to act as a model for Chen. Then in 2018, Nakamata, who had since returned to Kagoshima, received a plaster sculpture of herself made by Chen.

Group photo taken in the reception hall, 2016. Nakamata is third from the left in the bottom row

Now, three years later in the winter of 2019, students and faculty from the academy have visited Kagoshima and attended the opening of the Reform in Art—Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design and Kagoshima Prefecture Cultural Exchange Exhibition and a series of academic exchange events. Nakamata was present for the event, expressed gratitude to the Tsinghua University faculty, and gave one of them a card to bring back to Chen. She said, “Even though I have only taken one class from Professor Chen, it made a lasting impression on me. His teaching style has helped me become an amiable and approachable teacher. After I graduate, I will be a primary school art teacher, and I will share this experience with my future students.”

Nakamata was 21 when she visited Tsinghua University in 2016. Professor Chen recalls that during the two-hour class, he and Nakamata served as each other’s models. He promised to make his model into a plaster sculpture and give it to her, but due to the limits of time, Nakamata had already returned to Japan by the time the plaster sculpture was completed, and the two had not left each other with any contact information. Chen relates, “But last year, a delegation from Kagoshima University came again, and I saw the director of Nakamata’s class. He saw the cast sculpture and recognized it as his student, so had him bring it to Japan to give to her.”

“International exchanges among average people are very important. They transform our deep-seated concepts and allow us to gain a greater understanding of other people.”

Eastern nations share the common trait of long histories. Their different cultures and economic backgrounds allow them to have distinct features. As a result, international exchanges frequently create interesting and unique sparks. The exchanges between the Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design and Kagoshima Prefecture have been taking place once every two years for several years now, and the related developments go deeper each time. The Reform in Art—Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design and Kagoshima Prefecture Cultural Exchange Exhibition is a collection of artwork from the Academy of Arts & Design and Kagoshima Prefecture that presents thoughts on modern technology and traditional culture from two different countries. 52 of the pieces on display are by Academy of Arts & Design students and faculty. They consist of dyed and woven fabric, lacquerware, glassware, sculpture, etc. In its adherence to ancient processes and exploration of cultural heritage and innovation, the exhibition has deepened the understanding between the Academy of Arts & Design and Kagoshima Prefecture in this field.

Some of the pieces on display

Resource: Office of International Cooperation and Exchange;

Prof. Hui Chen

Editor: Ruohan Zhao, Jiaqi Feng