Abu Dhabi: A renowned Chinese artist has made his Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi and, using cutting-edge technology, he allowed people to step inside his work.
Shi Dachan, an artist from Beijing, is exhibiting his oriental paintings and calligraphy in their traditional form and supplemented with 3D virtual reality glasses which allow viewers to experience his art all around them in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace until October 2 before starting his exhibition in Dubai’s St Regis Hotel from October 5 to 7.
“Art has no borders. Everything is achieved by all of us altogether, therefore this activity [exhibition] shows the meaning of harmony,” Shi told Gulf News.
Shi’s exhibition opening in Abu Dhabi, an invitation only event, saw the attendance of many dignitaries and art lovers, including Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, who opened the exhibition, and Barbara A. Leaf, US ambassador to the UAE.
Shi’s paintings focus on the beauty of nature through bright colours, using traditional Chinese style. He said he aims to promote respect for Mother Nature in a time when humankind is forgetting its importance to our vitality. However, he said, this can only be achieved if artists come up with innovative techniques to draw people’s attention to the topic.
“The artists of this era have a challenge and a test ahead of them, to come up with a new way of connecting people with nature, to show the best and the beauty of nature to people, so people can treasure what they have in this world,” he explained.
Shi’s way of connecting people with his art and nature is to create a virtual reality that allows people to step inside his work.
The 3D virtual reality glasses allow viewers to experience his stunning colourful flowers, butterflies and stars all around them — an experience which a number of people at the exhibition told Gulf News was overwhelming and left them feeling light and filled with joy.
His exhibition also includes animated versions of his paintings that provide a glimpse of what he was experiencing when he captured the moment in his painting. A still shot of his flowers can be seen on the screen when an animated butterfly travels through them, enjoying their presence.
“My art is from my heart. I want to share my happiness with people through my art,” he said.
Shi, whose work also includes Chinese calligraphy, said he is a big fan of Arabic calligraphy and Arabic art.
“The Arabic and Chinese calligraphy share the same beauty and structure, there are definitely similarities between them,” he said.
Shi said to him both calligraphies are like a Rubik’s Cube, whereby every piece is connected to another to provide the final answer, in three dimensions.
“The beauty of arts in Arabic and Chinese style is that they share the same common connection,” he added.
Shi said it was very important for him to come to the UAE, “a place for arts and peace” and “because the UAE is so beautiful, if I didn’t come here I knew I would regret it”.
He confirmed that he is also looking forward to participating in Abu Dhabi Art this November.
