From July 24 to 26, 2025, delegations from the 798 Art Committee visited Shanghai and Zhejiang Province, where they toured art institutions such as the Art Museum of China Academy of Art and Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art. The delegation also conducted research on exhibitions including Black Myth: Wukong and the Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Art (Shanghai) 2024, embarking on an academic and professional exchange initiative. This trip focused on examining and prospectively exploring the contemporary art ecosystem, with particular emphasis on discussing the diverse approaches through which cultural and artistic IP can empower the development of urban cultural landscapes.

Exploring Cross-Border Cultural IP Empowerment

The recently concluded Black Myth: Wukong art exhibition at the Art Museum of China Academy of Art – which sparked widespread public discourse – provided an opportunity for the 798 Art Committee delegation to engage in in-depth exchanges with the curatorial team.

Black Myth: Wukong Exhibition

Art Museum of China Academy of Art, Hangzhou

The Black Myth: Wukong exhibition showcased over 900 game-themed artifacts, offering a comprehensive look at the artistic development behind this original Chinese IP. By its closing, the event had attracted 450,000+ onsite visitors, generated nearly 30 million RMB in ticket and merchandise sales, and sparked 600 million+ online topic views. The game's cultural breakthrough and the exhibition's success have made it a landmark phenomenon – where traditional Eastern aesthetics converge with contemporary cultural expression.

Second from left: Xia Shangzhou, Deputy Director of the Art Museum of China Academy of Art

Far right: Zhu Qingsheng, Chairman of the 798 Art Committee

Chairman Zhu Qingsheng of the 798 Art Committee shared insights into 798’s expertise in art resource integration and platform management, while exploring broader artistic possibilities for the breakout IP Black Myth: Wukong with the curatorial team. The meeting also facilitated talks between the 798 Art Committee and CAA Art Museum on collaborative ventures in cultural IP derivatives and immersive art experiences, aiming to deliver future content that balances viral appeal with cultural substance.

Facilitating Art Resource Connectivity

July 25th marked the opening of "Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Art (Shanghai) 2024" at Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art. As the inaugural edition co-organized by the 798 Art Committee, this showcase comprehensively presents the research findings from the 2024 China Contemporary Art Annual Report (hereinafter referred to as the Annual Report), offering a critical survey of the year's most significant artistic developments.

According to reports, the Annual Report seeks to reflect our era and its accompanying issues through documenting, observing, questioning, and reflecting on contemporary art practices and ecosystems. Leveraging the resource advantages of the 798 Art Committee, the Annual Exhibition can more systematically connect the artists, art exhibitions, and art events it focuses on, providing crucial research context and academic support for exploring cutting-edge directions.

Opening Remarks by Chief Curator Zhu Qingsheng, Chairman of the 798 Art Committee

"Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Art (Shanghai) 2024"

Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art

The Annual Exhibition has established a cross-regional collaborative platform connecting the 798 Art Committee with Hongkou District Culture and Tourism Bureau and Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, creating synergistic momentum to drive artistic innovation.

"China Contemporary Art Annual Exhibition (Shanghai) 2024"

Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art

Nourishing Civic Aesthetic Education

The 798 Art Committee brings together seasoned experts in the art field. While focusing on the development of the 798·751 Art Zone, it continuously observes the evolution of contemporary art ecosystems both in China and globally, actively participates in international academic dialogues, and jointly explores future directions for the district and Beijing's urban cultural development. 

Since its establishment on May 24, 2025, the 798 Art Committee has quickly formed multiple specialized working groups covering key areas such as art curation, academic research, and public education. To further promote diverse dialogue and open exchange between the art district, galleries, institutions, and the public, the committee will organize a series of public-facing events, including open academic lectures. These programs will invite renowned curators, artists, and scholars from China and abroad to present cutting-edge art trends, creative methodologies, and industry insights in an accessible manner.

Inauguration Ceremony of the 798 Art Committee

Moving forward, the 798 Art Committee will continue to establish multi-party connections, further strengthening 798's pivotal role as a "global bellwether of artistic innovation." It will foster vibrant growth in the art ecosystem, facilitate efficient transformation and widespread dissemination of industry research, and persistently drive the innovation and development of Chinese contemporary art with sustained momentum.