Painting exhibition remembers calamity

Source: CCTV.com | 05-12-2009 12:22

A 50-meter long oil painting on show at the Capital Museum in Beijing has distilled the spirit of the Chinese people on canvas. The purpose is to remember the quake victims and salute those who contributed to the reconstruction.

A minute of silence opened the exhibition, to remember those who lost their lives a year ago.

It was followed by a reading of the poem "Don't Cry for Me, Mom, for I'm in Heaven", and a performance by a children's chorus. The programs had participants remembering the very moment when the deadly earthquake jolted Sichuan.

Politburo member of the CPC Central Committee Liu Yandong, along with other government officials and representative artists joined hands in opening the exhibition.

The oil painting is the work of over 80 Chinese artists of various ages. It stretches 51.2 meters long, to indicate that quake struck on May the 12th, and is 2.28 meters in height, to indicate the exact time, 2:28 pm..

The artists worked on the painting for over four months. They said they drew inspiration from the people's concerted efforts to fight the adversity. Each of the artists recorded touching rescuing scenes, using their brushes to praise the unbending spirit of the Chinese people.

Zhan Jianjun, an oil painter, said, "This piece on display is not merely a pictorial record. All the participating artists have fused their love for the quake victims and volunteers on the canvas, resulting in a work of art."

A calamity may well test the solidarity of a nation. Today, we see hope, faith and most importantly -- the optimism that's surged up from the quake zone.

Go Sichuan! Go China!