Original title: Shenzhen ICIF: Guangxi's Exquisite Intangible Cultural Heritage Moves from "Local" to a Larger Stage

China News Network Shenzhen, May 23

Author Liu Juncong

"When craftsmen carve very delicate lines on clay with carving knives, I can't take my eyes off." On May 23, when seeing the production process of Qinzhou Nixing Pottery, a national intangible cultural heritage, in the Guangxi exhibition hall of the 20th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "ICIF"), a Xinjiang girl Amini Guli Keremu sighed.

The picture shows Chen Rongrong demonstrating Nixing pottery making skills on the spot. Photographed by Liu Juncong

In this ICIF, exhibitors from all provinces, autonomous regions and cities in China and overseas have carefully arranged exhibition areas to create cultural "business cards" with different styles. As a multi-ethnic settlement in China, Guangxi has a wealth of intangible cultural heritage "treasures", and this Expo has also become a "perfect platform" for inheritors to show to the outside world.

"Every year, we take Nixing Pottery to exhibitions all over the country, so that we can not only pass on this skill, but also hope that it can go further through promotion," said Chen Rongrong, a master of arts and crafts in Guangxi and inheritor of Nixing Pottery.

The picture shows Nixing pottery tea cup. Photographed by Liu Juncong

She said that because of the use of purple clay unique to Qinzhou, Guangxi, nixing pottery is antique and can carve fine lines such as people, flowers and birds, which is loved by collectors. "Now when we carve patterns, we will also incorporate some modern modeling elements, which is welcomed by young people," Chen Rongrong said.

On the other side of the booth, Zhuang people used to make beautiful Zhuang brocades for dresses and baby braces, and "changed" into fashionable wallets and handbags. Designer Nong Shuting is busy introducing her works to the onlookers.

"Traditional brocade needs to be woven by hand, and most of the people who master this skill are the old people in the village. Our studio will purchase the cloth they make, make it into handbags and other items, and sell them through the Internet platform." Nong Shuting said that the old people in the village can benefit thousands of yuan every month through this method, and the brocade technique can also enter the mainstream "stage".

The picture shows Bai Tingqi (first from left) introducing his horn sculpture to the public. Photographed by Liu Juncong

"A few years ago, our Hepu horn carvings were sold to the world through Yiwu, Zhejiang Province." Bai Tingqi, the successor of Guangxi Hepu horn carvings, was very proud. The horn carvings on his booth are as warm as jade, and the shapes of goldfish, shrimp and dragon are lifelike. The scales on his body are concave and convex. These works are carved from ox horn or sheep horn.

The picture shows an exquisite horn carving. Photographed by Liu Juncong

"I learned the art of Hepu horn carving from my father when I was young. Today's horn carving works integrate traditional carving techniques such as round carving, relief carving, hollowing out and inlaying, and become a popular collection of handicrafts," said Bai Tingqi.