Travels in China - Exhibition at CAFA, Beijing

China's Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) is the only advanced academy of fine arts that is under the direction of the Chinese Department of Education.  The academy includes six specialty schools as follows:  School of Fine Art; School of Chinese Painting; School of Design; School of Architecture; School of Humanities and School of City Design.  It also includes a School of Continuing Education and an Affiliated High School of Fine Art.

While CAFA is principally associated with painters and sculptors, its curriculum also includes graphic design, product design, fashion design, digital art and environmental art design, among others.  Because HWMBO and his study group were housed at the academy and it was nearly the end of the term, they were treated to an exhibition that featured student projects.

Obviously, there were many projects that featured painting or photography, or some combination of both.

Others were decorative items like these mushroom-themed stools, that could also be considered as wall art.

This one featured modern versions of ceramic animals

in a whimsical display.

Old materials were presented in contemporary ways

as furnishings,

and if one wished for something striking in garden furniture, this grouping might fit the bill.

Designs for futuristic motor vehicles abounded, such as here.

and again here.

How about a yellow cab, version circa 2053?

Or an all-purpose vehicle for both land and water?

Perhaps we'll see some of these designs in our own future some day.