Zhu Di, head of the art division of the Minstry of Culture said at a press conference on Oct 20 in Beijing.[Photo/ce.cn]

The art and literature appraisal system should be reformed and the social benefits of art works will be regarded as a standard, Zhu Di, head of the art division of the Minstry of Culture said at a press conference on Oct 20 in Beijing.

Zhu said national art creation is very active, but warned that the status-quo of "quantity over quality" in art has created "a plateau without summits" and led to a cookie-cutter approach in production and consumption. As the president stressed at the symposium on art and literature, artists should not "lose themselves in the tide of the market economy nor go astray while answering the question of whom to serve, otherwise their works will lack vitality". The art management mechanism needs to be upgraded and the production of art works needs to be guided.

Zhu said the Ministry of Culture will hold a symposium to study and implement the essential points of the president's speech. They will hold seminars to study how to promote art and literature and the implement related policies.

The Ministry of Culture will put the social benefits of art works as the priority and keep art works away from "the stench of money". Common citizens should be regarded as the main subject of art works and are given more rights to criticize and estimate art works. The content of art works need to be improved by the public. Zhu said that what the president said expounded the characteristic of art and basic principles of art and literature undertakings. “They will be important principles of the reform of art works appraisal.” said Zhu.

Under the guidance of the Publicity Department, CCCPC., the Ministry of Culture will set up a people-oriented appraisal mechanism, conduct fair, open and honest appraisal and regard common citizens as connoisseurs and critics. It will establish a standard for art works appraisal in a scientific way. The values, quality and aesthetic views of art works will be the main standards and the value of ticket sales and audience ratings as sole standards should be avoided.

Zhu said art and literature criticism is a crucial part of art undertakings. It is indispensable in the development of art creation, aesthetic appreciation and culture. The Ministry of Culture is planning to build a system of art criticism, including talent training, the practice of criticism and the management of criticism.

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