Dreams Woven in the Mountain Wilderness

Mountain Looms: Cultural Bodies In Motion


Time:
2025.12.8—12.11  11:00-17:00
Location: Yi Crafts Studio, 60 Neasden Lane , London, NW10 2UW
Co-organise: Yi Crafts Studio & Museum of Handcrafted Memory,Guiyang & Guizhou Provincial Anthropological Society
Collection Source:Museum of Handcrafted Memory, Guiyang, Guizhou, China


 

Exhibition Introduction

In southwest China, the whispers of the mountains are quietly growing—Guizhou, one of the richest lands in China in terms of ethnic minority culture, has long had its intangible cultural heritage presented in a traditional, and symbolic manner. However, this exhibition chooses to enter through "craftsmanship," starting with the "body," and responding through "youth," so that the culture of this land is not merely scenery to be viewed, but "life unfolding."

The exhibition simultaneously views Guizhou as concrete land and a flowing metaphor. We delve into intangible heritage such as patterns, techniques, and mythology, questioning "Who defines the image of ethnic culture?", "How is culture reborn in the contemporary era?", and "How do craftsmanship connect the emotions and memories of ethnic groups?" This is not a consumption of exoticism, but an invitation to "reinterpret" within a contemporary context—allowing "non-centralized culture" to speak out, letting the echoes of the mountains penetrate the noise, and inspiring shared practices that transcend culture and media. The exhibition itself is a continuously growing cultural experiment, an open space that allows for generation, modification, and dialogue.

Cultural experiences from mountainous and marginalized regions tell us that Guizhou is more than just a geographical term; it is a stage for countless expressions of life and the transmission of craftsmanship. Therefore, we view the exhibition as a "craft process": it is not completed, but rather continuously woven, responded to, and grown. This is an open space that allows the "observed other" to become active participants, transforming cultural resonance into shared action.

Here, Guizhou Miao batik and embroidery—as carriers of Miao culture—demonstrate the power of migration, translation, and regeneration across regions. The exhibits connect objects with memories, presenting the profound myths, history, and identity behind the techniques.

Time: 2025.12.8—12.11  11:00-17:00
Location: Yi Crafts Studio, 60 Neasden Lane , London, NW10 2UW
Co-organise: Yi Crafts Studio & Museum of Handcrafted Memory,Guiyang & Guizhou Provincial Anthropological Society
Collection Source:Museum of Handcrafted Memory, Guiyang, Guizhou, China