Scotland, famous for its silver design and long history, is for
the first time to exhibit its best works in Beijing from September
3 in China Millennium Monument. The exhibition, 'Silver of the
Stars, Scottish Contemporary Silver Design', brings to Beijing the
best Scottish contemporary silver designer's works, combining the
traditional culture of Scotland with modern art.?
Dr David Caldwell, from the National Museums Scotland explains
how popular silver is in Scotland.
"There has always been a tradition in Scotland of giving new
born babies a silver spoon, there is a saying, that if somebody is
well off or had a good start of life, then they were born with a
silver spoon in the mouth! For this reason, silver cups and silver
spoons are very much a part of our heritage, we see them as a
symbol of prosperity. People who are very well off will have silver
cups to drink out of, if you ever have the chance to drink wine out
of silver cup, it's wonderful."
Silver of the Stars, which has already been seen in London, New
York and St Petersburg, is a collaborative project between 10 world
famous celebrities and 10 leading silversmiths working in
Scotland.
Amongst the famous names involved are Sir Sean Connery, Billy
Connolly and Ewan Macgregor.
Michael Laing, deacon of the Incorporation of Silversmiths of
the City of Edinburgh, says: "Silver of the Stars has opened to
huge acclaim around the world but nothing can match the excitement
of being the first ever exhibition of Scottish applied art to be
seen in China."
"We hope it will help to foster interest in modern and
contemporary British art within China and help to build strong
links between the artistic communities in both countries."
Silver of the Stars will be at the Beijing World Art Museum,
China Millennium Monument, from the 3 to 21 of September before
moving on to Kyoto, Japan in October, and then returning to The
National Museums of Scotland from January, in time for its 550th
anniversary exhibition.
Fruit Bowl by Grant McCaig . Photo taken at
Silver of Stars.
Teapot by Sarah Hutchison . Photo taken at
Silver of Stars.
Claret Jug by George Paton. Photo taken at
Silver of Stars.
Absinthe Goblet by Graham Stewart. Photo
taken at Silver of Stars.
Photo taken at Silver of Stars.
(CRI.cn September 4, 2007)
