The "Inheritance and Innovation: Anxi Rattan-Iron Art Exhibition" Grandly Opens, Showcasing the Brilliance of a Millennia-Old Craft

The "Inheritance and Innovation: Anxi Rattan-Iron Art Exhibition" has opened, converging the essence of traditional craftsmanship with modern design concepts, comprehensively showcasing the charm of the inheritance and innovation of intangible cultural heritage. This exhibition is jointly organized by the China National Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum), the Industrial Culture Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Fujian Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, and the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, with the Anxi County People's Government serving as the host, and the event conducted by The Cart Museum. On view from September 27th to October 27th on the fourth floor of the China National Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum), the exhibition offers visitors a distinctive cultural and visual journey into the enduring legacy.

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Millennia-Old Cultural Context: The Deep Roots of Anxi Rattan-Iron Art

Anxi, an ancient county established in 955 AD (the 2nd year of the Xiande era, Later Zhou dynasty), is not only the birthplace of Tieguanyin tea culture but also renowned for its "Three Treasures": the renowned Anxi Tieguanyin tea, the exquisitely crafted Rattan-Iron artistry, and the long history of Qingyang iron smelting. As a key node on the "Maritime Silk Road," Anxi carries the profound legacy of Central Plains civilization from the north and embraces the dynamic spirit of maritime culture from the south. Its unique geographical environment and deep cultural heritage have provided fertile ground for the germination, growth, and transformation of Rattan-Iron craftsmanship.

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Anxi Rattan-Iron Art is deeply rooted in the millennia-old tradition of bamboo weaving. It has evolved through creative stages-from bamboo and rattan weaving to the integrated rattan-iron form-transforming practical utensils into artistic masterpieces. During its development, its material language has continuously expanded, and its forms and functions have become increasingly diverse, preserving the "soul" of traditional craftsmanship while skillfully embracing the "form" of modern aesthetics and practical needs. In 2014, Bamboo Weaving (Anxi Bamboo and Rattan Weaving) was inscribed by the State Council into the fourth national list of intangible cultural heritage. Today, Rattan-Iron art is not only a pillar industry driving the local economy but also a vibrant carrier of folk wisdom and aesthetic expression, vividly interpreting the Chinese ideal of "craft serving utility, art conveying truth," and serving as a model for the revitalization of traditional Chinese crafts.

Today, Anxi stands as China's largest production and export hub for rattan-iron crafts, with its products reaching over 60 countries and regions. It has earned distinguished titles including "Hometown of Chinese Rattan-Iron Craft" and "World Craft City - Rattan-Iron Craft Capital." Anxi Rattan-Iron has grown into a thriving livelihood industry and has become a cultural bridge-connecting China with the global community and carrying forward the trading legacy of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, while injecting fresh creativity into modern design. Looking ahead, Anxi Rattan-Iron Art will actively explore sustainable and innovative development paths, promoting deeper integration of this heritage craft with technology, design, and digital media, to share China's cultural narratives with the world in a voice that resonates with our times.

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Anxi's bamboo weaving tradition dates back to the very establishment of the county. As recorded in the Customs Records from the Early Anxi County Chronicle of the Five Dynasties , residents commonly made a living by "carrying baskets and wielding hoes." This historical scene is vividly preserved in the brick carvings on either side of the Halberd Gate of the Anxi Confucius Temple, which depict artisans intently weaving baskets. The Qingyang Xiacaopu Iron Smelting Site stands as a testament to Quanzhou's millennia-old iron smelting heritage. Together with bamboo weaving, these two traditions-one strong, the other supple-entered into a unique cultural dialogue, laying a robust foundation for the emergence of rattan-iron art. Through rattan and iron, the diligent people of Anxi have continued to weave not only objects of daily life but also the very fabric of their civilization.

The Journey of Inheritance: Three Sections Showcasing Artistic Transformation

This exhibition, themed "Inheritance and Innovation," is structured into three sections: "Interlacing Warp and Weft," "Exquisite Craftsmanship," and "Boundary-Crossing Fusion," systematically presenting the remarkable journey of Anxi Rattan-Iron Art from its origins in bamboo weaving, through rattan weaving, to its contemporary form of Rattan-Iron Art.

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The "Interlacing Warp and Weft" section guides visitors on a journey back in time to explore the origins of Anxi Rattan-Iron Art. From the careful selection and drying of rattan to the smelting and forging of iron, from the creak of traditional bamboo-strip machines to the precision of computer-controlled cutting, the display showcases not only a technical lineage but also the inheritance of cultural genes. This inheritance is felt in the hardened hands of veteran artisans, seen in the creativity of the new generation, and woven into the warp and weft of every piece.

The "Exquisite Craftsmanship" section features a selection of Rattan-Iron artworks, covering both classic reproductions and innovative designs. It includes handmade treasures inheriting ancient techniques, carrying the warmth of the human touch and the weight of tradition, such as decorative pieces expressing the Southern Fujian folk wish for "blossoms and prosperity," and rattan furniture reflecting the traditional cosmology of "round heaven and square earth." It also presents pioneering works integrating modern design elements and technological language. Here, artisans preserve time-honored wisdom like "bamboo strips must pass through seven procedures under water," while simultaneously creating new techniques to "bend iron wire into Mobius strips." They join rattan with traditional mortise-and-tenon methods, and embed QR codes in artworks to tell their stories, building a bridge for dialogue between millennia-old tradition and contemporary aesthetics.

The "Boundary-Crossing Fusion" section highlights the industry's dynamism and the cultural significance of Anxi Rattan-Iron Art. As the "Hometown of Chinese Rattan-Iron Craft" and "World Craft City - Rattan-Iron Craft Capital," Anxi has developed into the nation's largest production base for rattan-iron artifacts. In 2024, the industry's annual output value reached 30.5 billion RMB, with products exported to over 60 countries, reviving its historic spirit as a hub on the Maritime Silk Road.

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Innovative Development: "Rattan-Iron Craft +" Model Writes a New Chapter

In the 1990s, visionary Anxi artisans pioneered "Rattan-Iron Craft," cleverly combining traditional bamboo and rattan techniques with iron wire, transforming everyday objects into artistically refined pieces. The first representative work, the "Grape Basket," used rattan as its skeleton and iron wire as its tendons; This union of strength and flexibility quickly made it a star product in international markets, earning valuable foreign exchange. Recognizing the potential, the Anxi County Party Committee and County Government elevated the industry to a strategic level and propelled Rattan-Iron craft into a period of rapid growth.

In recent years, Anxi County has promoted a "Rattan-Iron Craft+" approach, deeply integrating the craft into fields such as smart homeware, digital art, and rural revitalization. This has led to a variety of innovative products and projects: "breathing" rattan-woven lamps, interactive virtual Rattan-Iron installations, and a "fingertip economy" that supports 150,000 practitioners. Anxi Rattan-Iron craft has transcended the boundaries of "handicraft," becoming a cultural link connecting past and future, material and spirit.

Regarding the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, Anxi has promoted Rattan-Iron craft by establishing workshops, training young artisans, and hosting digital exhibitions. These workshops provide inheritors with spaces for creation and exchange; the young practitioners bring fresh perspectives to the time-honored craft; and digital platforms break temporal and spatial constraints, allowing more people to appreciate the charm of Rattan-Iron art. Together, these efforts have revitalized this millennia-old skill.

"Inheritance and Innovation: Anxi Rattan-Iron Art Exhibition" is more than a display of skill but a dialogue of cultures. The exhibition invites visitors to experience the perfect combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, appreciating the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics. Anxi Rattan-Iron craft, with its creativity and cultural inclusiveness, is sharing Chinese stories in a way that resonates today.

This exhibition opened to the public on September 27th. Here, you will see the beautiful blend of tradition and modern design. Your visit becomes a walk across a bridge through time, letting you feel the warmth of skilled hands in every piece. Let this experience plant a lasting appreciation for cultural heritage in your heart.

"Inheriting the legacy and forging anew" - this is the artistic charm of Anxi Rattan-Iron, and also a shining example of Chinese wisdom.
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