Asia Arts Park in Foshan

Asia Arts Park (亚洲艺术公园) is located at the center of Foshan’s Development Zone, covering an area of 40 hectares, of which 26.6 hectares are water bodies. The park’s design prominently features Lingnan water town culture, a water forest as the green vein, and dragon boat racing as the water vein. The design concept highlights Lingnan cultural characteristics, incorporating architectural, sculptural, plant, and bridge elements to create an art park with an Asian artistic flair. Asia Arts Park is a highly distinctive civic park reflecting Lingnan water town culture.

Chinese Name: 亚洲艺术公园

English Name: Asia Arts Park

Location: Foshan Development Zone, Chancheng District, Shiwai Street, Wenhua Middle Road 13

Area: 40 hectares

Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, 05:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Features: Lingnan Water Town (岭南水乡)

History

Asia Arts Park is located on the east side of Wenhua Road, the north side of Lujing Road, and the west side of Huijing Road in Chancheng District. The park, covering an area of 40 hectares with 26.6 hectares of water, was previously constructed under the temporary name “Adjustment Lake Park.”

Seizing the opportunity presented by the 7th Asian Arts Festival being held in Foshan, the park was officially named Asia Arts Park to better showcase Lingnan culture and the regional cultures of various Asian countries. The park broke ground at the end of 2003.

The park is divided into three main scenic areas: “Main Entrance Scenic Area,” “Water Forest Scenic Area,” and “Dragon Boat Racing Scenic Area.” The design of these areas emphasizes the cultural pulse of the Lingnan water town, the green pulse of the water forest, and the water pulse of dragon boat racing, with the goal of highlighting Lingnan cultural features through architecture, sculptures, plants, and bridges.

Architecture Layout

Main Entrance Scenic Area 

The main entrance scenic area spans about 14,000 square meters and can accommodate 3,000 visitors. It includes facilities such as the entrance plaza, Asian Cultural Arts Festival Memorial Sculpture, Cultural Gallery, Water Stage, and parking lot. This area is spacious, with open sightlines and smooth traffic, making it an ideal space for crowd management and serving as one of the main venues for cultural exchange activities during the Asian Arts Festival.

Water Forest Scenic Area 

The water forest area primarily features species like the water pine and bald cypress, forming water-based plant communities. Within the planted spaces, various resting areas are set up, along with artistic creations from Asian sculptors, which reflect the culture of different countries.

Dragon Boat Racing Scenic Area

The dragon boat racing area is centered around the park’s large water surface and features an international-standard dragon boat racecourse. The waterfront is designed with winding embankments, with several pavilions, corridors, and docks designed along the shore for visitors to enjoy the lake views and observe dragon boat races.

Major Scenic Spots

Asia Arts Forest 

In the southwest corner of Asia Arts Park, there is an island in the lake covering approximately 2,800 square meters. This site was selected for planting the Memorial Forest for the 7th Asian Arts Festival and the signing of the “Foshan Declaration” at the Asia Culture Ministers Forum. The memorial forest is mainly composed of broad-leaved trees, with some flowering shrubs planted in a design that incorporates paths, platforms, and architectural features.

The tree-planting ceremony for the “Asia Arts Forest” leaves a lasting green mark in Asia Arts Park, symbolizing the sincere, kind, and friendly ties between the peoples of Asia. It reflects a love for life and marks the eternal bond of Asian civilization. The memorial forest signifies the everlasting friendship and mutual understanding between Asian nations, which will continue to grow and thrive like the trees planted here. The annual Asia Cultural Arts Festival is expected to be full of vitality and offer promising prospects for the future, witnessing the opening, exchange, and sublimation of Asian cultures.

Introduction

The construction of the commemorative sculpture for the 7th Asia Art Festival is a unique artistic project combining art, architecture, and multi-dimensional coordination. This project began in March 2017 and was completed by October 15 of the same year. The main construction of the “Asia Art Gate” sculpture officially started on July 16, with the kiln test installation on August 24, the first kiln firing on August 25, and the completion of the seventh kiln firing on September 26. The installation was completed on October 15, five days ahead of schedule. The sculpture is culturally significant, artistically unique, and structurally sound, with a firing success rate of 98%, and the color achieved the desired effect.

Design and Construction

The original design of the “Asia Art Gate” was created by Chen Shushu, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Department of Chinese Painting at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and Wei Hua, a mural expert from the same department. The revised design was done by Li Min, a national-level second-class artist from the Foshan Sculpture Institute. The final 3D design was created by Jian Xizhao, Li Min, Xue Liyang, Zhuo Guoping, Zhou Bingji, and Luo Zhiqi, all from the Foshan Sculpture Institute. This institute was responsible for the modification and construction of the project, including the creation of the revised 3D design, the 1:1.13 scale clay model, plaster mold making, clay casting, kiln drying, surface glazing, transportation, and installation. The firing process was donated by the People’s Government of Chancheng District, Foshan, the Shawan Street Office, and the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln Tourism Development Company.

The finished “Asia Art Gate” consists of 2839 ceramic tiles, with a relief area of about 830 square meters. The two “gates” stand at 17.6 meters and 15.6 meters, respectively.

Significance

The “Asia Art Gate” is a masterpiece of collective wisdom and teamwork, symbolizing the ceramic culture of Foshan and a gift from the city to the 7th Asia Art Festival. According to the Foshan Ceramic Sculpture Institute, it is the largest modern ceramic sculpture in the world and the first large-scale Asian artistic civilization epic sculpted from clay. It serves as a milestone in the development of ceramics in Foshan, a city known for its thousand-year-old ceramic tradition.

The gate embodies the inclusive and open spirit of Lingnan ceramic culture, integrating both ancient and modern artistic forms. It stands as the symbol of the Asia Art Park, representing the exchange and openness of Asian cultures. It conveys the message of openness, communication, fusion, and sublimation. It is a gateway for “art to unite Asia and culture to communicate the world” and a display of “charming Foshan, cultural Asia, and artistic world.”

Innovation and Breakthroughs

1. Kiln Design and Capacity: The Foshan Sculpture Institute used traditional dragon kiln techniques and consulted with experienced kiln workers to design a kiln capacity of 130㎡/kiln. The molds were scientifically designed, and the clay pieces were stacked with precise measurements to ensure the timely completion of the project.

2. Firing Technique: The team employed the “three-dimensional stacking kiln” and “fire blocking” techniques traditionally used in dragon kilns but improved them by stabilizing the kiln’s center with high-temperature silicon plates.

3. Mold Innovation: The traditional methods of using enclosed molds were broken, introducing flat molds for the main surfaces and hollow molds for the surrounding volumes. This method was first tested on the large ceramic sculpture “Ceramic Lady” (陶女), but was a first for a large area like this.

4. Coloring Technique: A unique “flame red” effect was achieved by using a formula typically reserved for smaller pieces. Industrial salt and iron oxide were used in combination with wood-fired techniques to create the desired color effect without relying on technological instruments.

Design Concept

The initial design by Chen Shushu uses the Chinese character for “gate” (门) as the central motif, which serves as an ethnic symbol with profound meaning. Wei Hua incorporated artistic individuality into the gate’s design, adding three key meanings:

1. Regional Significance: The gate represents “China’s Southern Gate” in Foshan, Guangdong.
2. Cultural Exchange: The gate symbolizes the transition and connection of space, reflecting the interdependent yet independent cultural and artistic links between Asian nations.
3. Openness and Welcome: The gate is a welcoming symbol for Asian cultures to enter China, reflecting the openness and cultural exchange in the new century.

Revised Design

The revision, designed by Li Min, found the perfect fusion between the original and revised design. The gate embodies spiritual and cultural heritage from Asia, illustrating ancient civilizations such as Sumerian, Babylonian, Indian, Chinese, and the unique cultural features of Lingnan. The reliefs depict iconic symbols like the “Code of Hammurabi,” “Sumerian Cuneiform,” “Bull God and Ninfuruza Goddess,” “King Ashurbanipal Slaying Lions,” and “Syrian Flutist,” with a focus on Chinese civilization and Lingnan cultural symbols.

Cultural and Artistic Symbolism

The “Asia Art Gate” highlights the Asian cultural heritage, with a focus on the spiritual legacy of ancient Asian civilizations. Its design embodies the artistic essence of ceramic culture, representing the integration of traditional and modern artistic languages. It also symbolizes Foshan’s contribution to Chinese and global culture, acting as a bridge between past, present, and future.

Cultural and Historical Impact

Foshan’s sculpture, including the “Asia Art Gate,” highlights the city’s unique artistic identity. The gate stands as a modern ceramic sculpture, blending traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary artistic forms. It marks the first large-scale ceramic public artwork in the city and sets a precedent for future developments in this field.

Tourist Information

Location:

To reach the “Asia Art Gate,” take Line 3 of the Foshan Metro and alight at the Asia Art Park Station.

Bus Routes:

• Asia Art Park: Bus 132 (Zhangcha Village – Poly Garden), Bus 259 (Heshun Zhongxin Mountain Lake – Guicheng Stone)
• South Gate of Asia Art Park: Bus 105 (Foshan Railway Station – Shiken), Bus 127 (Foshan Railway Station – Gancun), Bus 138 (Jiahe New City – Guicheng Staff Village), Bus 146 (Dongfang Plaza North Gate – Ceramic Sea International), Bus 160 (Zhangcha Cultural Center – Biguihua City)

The “Asia Art Gate” stands as both a monumental artwork and a cultural symbol, marking Foshan’s place in the modern world while paying tribute to its rich history and artistic traditions.