Chinese traditional Shanshui paintings exhibited in Brussels

Huge Shanshui paintings, Chinese traditional painting style depicting scenery or natural landscapes, created by Chinese painter Xu Longsen are hanged at the atrium of the Justice Palace during the exhibition "On Top of A Thousand Mountains" in Brussels, capital of Belgium October 11, 2009.

Talking of his works created for the exhibition named "On top of a thousand mountains", Xu, a famous painter and collector in China, said that traditional Chinese landscape paintings used to decorate the private study of an intellectual, but they need a public space in this new era.

"I think the visual shock of the traditional paintings is not enough. Although the size does not necessarily mean good, it's really significant," the Chinese artist said.

The exhibition will open to the public from Oct. 15 as part of the Europalia China art festival. From Oct. 8, 2009 to Feb. 14, 2010, the art festival is going to present about 50 exhibitions and 450 art performances and cultural events in more than 70 cities in Belgium and four neighboring countries, namely the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany.

Huge Shanshui paintings, Chinese traditional painting style depicting scenery or natural landscapes, created by Chinese painter Xu Longsen are hanged at the atrium of the Justice Palace during the exhibition "On Top of A Thousand Mountains" in Brussels, capital of Belgium October 11, 2009.

The exhibitions and art performances will highlight four main themes: Immortal China, Contemporary China, Colorful China, and China and the World. Each theme will be illustrated by a key exhibition.

As many as 19 Chinese provinces, cities and autonomous regions, 58 museums, libraries, archaeological institutes, and numerous public and private cultural institutions have contributed to the art festival, jointly organized by Europalia International and the Chinese Ministry of Culture.

Editor: Feng Hui