HONG KONG – An art event showcasing the renowned Chinese classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber was unveiled here on Friday and will run through July 16, 2024.

Titled Art of Red Mansions: Paintings Exhibition and Redology Seminar, the event has been selected as part of the Chinese Culture Festival, organized by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office of the HKSAR government.

Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as The Story of the Stone, is an 18th-century Chinese novel considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

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The "Red Mansions" inspired exhibition features traditional Chinese ink painting works by artist and curator Jin Yanlin.

Zheng Pei-kai, the former Director of the Centre for Chinese Culture at the City University of Hong Kong, together with Ouyang Fen Qiang, the director of the creative committee of the Dream of the Red Chamber Society of China, co-hosted a seminar with the artist Jin Yanlin.

"The novel's enduring popularity and quality serve as a window into the Chinese psyche. It's not merely a work of literature but also a profound encapsulation of Chinese culture - a great starting point for exploration," Jin told China Daily.

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Ouyang Fen Qiang, who played the role of Jia Baoyu in the 1987 TV adaptation of the novel, said that the classic is dynamic. "As you age, the verses mature with you. Each time you revisit the story, your perception of the characters evolves."

"It's vital to begin cultural studies of 'Red Mansions' from a young age, whether through TV dramas, comics, or other art forms," said Zheng. "The novel features an eclectic mix of elusive, expressionistic prose and poetry alongside realistic social revelation, teaching us about the diversity of humanity and life's complexities."

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The Chinese Culture Promotion Office, established by the HKSAR government, aims to bolster awareness of Chinese culture and enhance national identity and cultural confidence.

Contact the writer at irismuk@chinadailyhk.com