Explore the hidden gems of Jinan’s rich cultural heritage through the documentary series ‘Encountering Jinan: Intangible Cultural Heritage of the People’. Witness the captivating world of shadow puppetry, experience the laughter of cross-talk performances, and delve into the intricate artistry of Lu embroidery. This documentary offers a unique glimpse into Jinan’s vibrant traditions and their enduring presence in the modern world.
Kapwani Kiwanga’s ‘Trinket’ installation at the Canada Pavilion in Venice examines the pivotal role of Murano-made glass seed beads in global trade. The beaded strings, suspended from the ceiling and cascading down the walls, delve into the bartering power of these beads, exchanged for gold, bronze, palm oil, and enslaved people in Africa and the Americas. While the installation highlights the disparities in the attributed value of these beads, it surprisingly lacks a more thorough exploration of their significance in Venice’s own economic, social, and artistic history. Despite UNESCO recognizing the art of glass beads as intangible heritage, this vital fact is curiously absent from the pavilion’s information boards, which some critics consider a glaring omission.
