Music, craft, and the ideals of the Chinese literati converge in Elegant Sounds: Music, Craft, and the Literati, a new multi-sensory exhibition opening in the Scholars Gallery at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Marking the first major refresh to the gallery since 2015, the exhibition examines the significance of the qin 琴, later known as the guqin 古琴 (Chinese zither) in shaping Chinese art and culture.
Elegant Sounds explores the evolution, symbolism, and role of the qin in Chinese literati culture, where music, self-cultivation, and artistic expression were closely intertwined. Visitors will be able to appreciate the artistry of the qin through a diverse array of objects, including ancient instruments, bronzes, paintings, ceramics, and rare books. As part of the museum’s commitment to innovation, ACM is introducing a dedicated space within the gallery to increase opportunities for new and meaningful connections with art and audiences. Serving as a performative and reflective space, gallery visitors will be able to immerse in the elegant contemplative tranquillity of Chinese literati culture, and also experience a tactile digital interactive featuring an actual qin. Highlights include a series of qin recordings by renowned guqin master Dr Kee Chee Koon, and a behind-the-scenes presentation of qin craftsmanship by master qin maker Mr Ning Qunhui that reveals how the unique voice of each instrument is created.
As visitors uncover the unique voices of the qin, they are invited to reflect on the enduring role of music in fostering mindfulness and artistic appreciation.
