Croisements! (China-France Cultural Spring)
C'est parti! (It's started!)

On April 26th, the opening ceremony of the 17th China-France Cultural Spring andIntegrationExhibition was held in Guangzhou, South China. Nearly 100 Chinese and foreign guests, including the French Consulate in Guangzhou,representativesfrom Shangrong Gallery, and participating artists, witnessed this momentous occasion together.

In his speech, M. Benjamin MARTINEZ, the Deputy Consul General of the French Consulate in Guangzhou, stated that the China-France Cultural Spring plays a crucial role in enhancing the relationship between France and China. He said, "Twenty years ago, the cultural year of France and China laid the foundation for the China-France Cultural Spring. Today, we are here to make a promise with you all. Maybe 20 years from now, the event will be held in a different place, but please keep the same passion and curiosity, and admire the remarkable achievements of Chinese and French cultural exchanges."

Chen Ke, Dean of the Sculpture and Public Art School of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, reviewed the history of China's art pioneers who went to France in the early 20th century to explore the modern transformation of Chinese painting. He mentioned that at that time, a group of Chinese youth went to France to work and study, exploring ways to save theirmotherland. "In the art world, pioneers such as Lin Fengmian, Xu Beihong, and Wu Guanzhong also went to France to explore the modern transformation of Chinese painting."

Chen Ke said that Guangzhou is the only city in Chinese history that has never closed its trading port. "Sincethestartof the reform and opening-up, a large number of Guangdong artists have personally observed the original works of art in France." In his view, the in-depth exchange of Chinese and Western cultures has given both countries a deeper understanding of each other's culture.

The "Integration - Theme Exhibition of the China-France Cultural Spring" exhibited works by nine artists, including Che Jianquan, Chen Hai, Chen Ke, Chen Zhou & Zhang Xiaojing, Cheng Yifeng, Lu Biaobiao, Pan Fen, and Su Lisi. Duringthe years they spent in France, they absorbed contemporary art forms and Chinese traditional cultural heritage. Through the stories of individual artists in the big era, the exhibition presents the fruitful achievements of Chinese and French cultural exchanges in the art field over the past century.

第17届中法文化之春华南地区活动正式开幕

Croisements！（意：中法文化之春）

C’est parti!（意：启动）

4月26日第17届中法文化之春华南地区开幕式暨展览“融”开幕式在广州举行。法国驻广州总领事馆、尚榕美术、参展艺术家等近百名中外嘉宾共同见证了这一时刻。

法国驻广州总领事馆副总领事李杰明（M. Benjamin MARTINEZ）在致辞中表示，“中法文化之春”在加深法中的联系交往中，发挥着举足轻重的作用。他说：“20年前法中两国互办文化年为后续举行‘中法文化之春’埋下了伏笔。今天我们在这里和大家约定，20年后，或许我们举办活动的地点不同，但请大家怀着与今天一样的热情与好奇，再看中法文化交流的斐然成果。”

广州美术学院雕塑与公共艺术学院院长陈克回顾了20世纪初，中国艺术界的先驱前往法国探求中国画的现代转型之路的历史。他提到，当时中国一批有志青年前往法国，一边勤工俭学，一边学习，探究救国图强之道。“在艺术界，如林风眠、徐悲鸿、吴冠中等艺术先驱，也前往法国探求中国画的现代转型之路。”

陈克表示，广州是中国历史上唯一没有关闭过通商口岸的城市。“尤其在改革开放之后，大量的广东艺术家到法国亲身观摩了艺术史上的原作。”在他看来，中西文化的深度交流，让大家对相互间的文化有了更深层次的认识。

《融——中法文化之春主题展》展出了车建全、陈海、陈克、陈洲&张晓静、程一峰、卢麃麃、潘奋、苏丽思等艺术家的作品。这9位艺术家都曾游学法国，对当代艺术形式和中国传统文化遗产进行双重吸收。展览通过大时代中个体艺术家的故事，呈现逾百年来中法文化交流在艺术领域的丰硕成果。

文｜羊城晚报全媒体记者 谭铮
图｜主办方供图
通讯员 吕梦莹
翻译｜刘佳慧
责编｜王瑜瑛