2025 Jincheng’s Contemporary Visions of Historic Architecture: Cosmic Alignment

On September 29, 2025, the Jincheng “New Voices of Ancient Architecture” Contemporary Art Exhibition—a cultural innovation initiative revitalizing millennia-old structures through art—will grandly open at the Jincheng City Experience Center. Marking the opening of the City Experience Center, this event features two concurrent exhibitions: the group show “The Wheel of Time” and the solo exhibition “The Eighty-First Day” by Wu Jian’an, Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and renowned artist. Bringing together 12 renowned artists from China and abroad, this exhibition adopts an international perspective and diverse contemporary artistic practices. Through the innovative paradigm of “ancient architecture + art,” it supports Jincheng’s development as a national model city for cultural tourism and wellness, advances the creation of a national demonstration zone for the preservation and utilization of ancient dwellings, and further elevates Jincheng’s city brand influence as the “Museum of Ancient Architecture in China.” Organized by Jincheng He Wei Urban Experience Center Co., Ltd. and curated by UCCA Lab—a leading contemporary art institution under UCCA (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art)—the 2025 Jincheng “New Narratives of Ancient Architecture” Contemporary Art Exhibition will unfold at the city’s iconic cultural landmarks.

Renowned as “China’s Museum of Ancient Architecture,” Jincheng preserves 5,447 historic structures, including 72 nationally protected cultural sites—ranking fourth nationwide. Its pre-Song/Jin wooden architecture alone accounts for one-third of China’s total. These splendid historical treasures collectively embody the city’s profound legacy, where “every step echoes a millennium.” This exhibition draws upon Jincheng’s architectural heritage and cultural context, reinterpreting ancient building culture through contemporary artistic language. It comprehensively showcases Jincheng’s profound history, humanistic spirit, and architectural charm as a vital cradle of Chinese civilization.

The 2025 Jincheng “Ancient Architecture, New Narratives” Contemporary Art Exhibition is not only a cultural feast, but also revitalizes the contemporary vitality of ancient architecture culture through the innovative paradigm of “ancient architecture + art.” It not only highlights Jincheng’s unique cultural status and profound historical depth as the “Museum of Ancient Architecture in China,” but also propels ancient architecture culture beyond history into the public eye through innovative artistic expression. This enhances Jincheng’s image as a cultural tourism destination and its cultural appeal, continuously writing a new narrative for the City of Ancient Architecture as it faces the future.