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4 Personal History 60 x 180 cm.JPG
CHINA  DRIFTINGS
游走中国 - åŸŽå¸‚系列
by Catherine Gfeller
China and Europe

China, with its multi-millennium civilization, is today entering a new era of its identity, having to tackle multiple challenges in many different areas simultaneously - even deeper now with the wordly crisis.
At the same time closed in on itself and ultra-connected to our contemporary world, it has opened its borders to all continents with the Silk Road, technological innovations and international trading.
China has also undertaken important collaborations in the field of culture and art. This is where my project China Driftings is happening.
 
Thanks to my regular trips to China, I have chosen a focus which is universal: the vision of women, their mystery, their passions. Our distance and differences paradoxally bring us closer. Women are able to weave links which go beyond borders. With such a project, I'd like to create dialogues and bridges between our two countries.

Several exhibitions are programed in Chinese museums until 2025 with a specific focus in each city: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, HongKong.
Then, the exhibition will travel through European countries: Germany, France and Switzerland.

WATCHMAKING: THE PIONEERS

China Driftings echoes the feat of 19th century Neuchatel watchmakers, who went by boat to Canton to develop their business of making precious watches in China. After having been tremendously successful, they returned to Switzerland to propose watches designed by the Chinese. The watchmaker Edouard Bovet (1797 -1849) is the most outstanding representative of this adventure. The Maison Bovet still exists today.

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CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ART: THE INSPIRATION OF ULI SIGG

Following a brilliant career as a businessman in China with the concept of joint-venture, Uli Sigg became the Swiss Ambassador to China in Beijing. He is one of the first Europeans to extensively collect the works of contemporary Chinese artists. To house his immense collection, he has entrusted Herzog & de Meuron, architects, with the design of his museum, which is scheduled to open in Hong Kong in the very near future.

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