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- Exhibit brings antique traditional Chinese dress to LSU
(10/26/18) BATON ROUGE, La. — The LSU College of Agriculture has partnered with Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China, and the Jiangsu Intangible Cultural Heritage Base for the exhibition, Chinese Traditional Accessories and Innovative Design.
The exhibit will be in the LSU Student Union Art Gallery Oct. 27 to 30.
Chuanlan Liu, an associate professor in the Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, said the exhibit pays tribute to the traditional Chinese culture and carries forward its dress culture in the modern era.
“The purpose of the exhibit is to showcase the artistic features and values of Chinese costume and to promote collaboration and exchange between Jiangnan University and LSU,” Liu said.
The exhibit is part of the 2018 Cultural Exchange and Promotion Project funded by Chinese National Arts Fund and was curated by a team of faculty and graduate students from Jiangnan University. It includes authentic antique costume and accessories such as golden lotus shoes, pouches, cloud collars and trinkets.
Liu said this is a rare opportunity for students to see these pieces first-hand.
“Culturally inspired creative design by fashion design students and professors also will be displayed,” she said.
Part of the exhibition included a lecture by professor Cui Rongrog, of Jiangnan University, on the auspicious symbols in clothing culture.
Through an interpreter, Rongrog discussed his research on Han Folk costumes and spoke about the many symbols such as the lotus, fish, peony dragon and tiger in Chinese dress and accessories.
He said embroidery served a practical and aesthetic purpose. The stitching was used to increase wear-resistance of the clothes, while adding a decorative effect.
Liu’s students attended the lecture and saw pieces that will be in the exhibit.
“Students will observe the real authentic pieces of antique costume and accessories. They will not only learn and understand different clothing culture but also better understand the importance of social and symbolic value communicated through the non-verbal media — clothing and accessories,” Lui said.
Chinese dress and accessories are part of an exhibit at the LSU Student Union Art Gallery Oct. 27 to 30. The LSU College of Agriculture has partnered with Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China, and the Jiangsu Intangible Cultural Heritage Base for the exhibition. Photo by Tobie Blanchard/LSU AgCenter.