On October 16th, which marks World Food Day, a significant exhibition titled “Grains of the Earth” opened at the Village Art Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. This exhibition, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, showcases over 100 vintage photographs that capture the transformations in Chinese agriculture since 1949.
The theme “Grains of the Earth” symbolizes the deep-rooted virtues of commitment and serves as a testament to the miraculous growth of all living things. The artworks on display have been generously provided by collectors from the Zhijiang Photo Society, and the exhibition will run until November 30th.
During the opening ceremony, Zhang Youguo, Vice President of the Zhejiang Photographers Association and President of the Hangzhou Photographers Association, shared insights about the exhibition. “Most of the works are making their debut here,” he explained. “They tell stories of rural life and the people within those communities, capturing the rich essence of the countryside and everyday life. The quality of the pieces is exceptional, with many being classic works that hold significant artistic and historical value.”
The exhibition is divided into three sections: “Grains of the Earth,” “Flavors of Xianlin,” and “Abodes of the Earth,” each displayed in distinct spaces, providing viewers with a visual and cultural feast. For instance, the “Flavors of Xianlin” section is located on the top floor of the art museum in Yuhang Xianlin Village, where the organizers skillfully integrated the surrounding landscape into the presentation, showcasing the impressive results of local agricultural development.
Additionally, the event marked the official launch of the Insight Art Rural Construction Studio, located in Dongshan Village, Xixi Source Village of Yuhang District. The studio will be co-directed by Zhang Youguo and Zhang Hailong, President of the Yuhang Writers Association. Looking ahead, the studio aims to promote artistic contributions to rural revitalization by organizing various cultural activities and fostering alliances that support artists’ engagement with rural communities.