Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, July 8. 2026 — On the afternoon of July 2. 2026. the inaugural exhibition of Dialogue of Light and Shadow: A Touring Exhibition of Poster Design in New China, a project supported by the 2026 National Arts Fund under its Communication, Exchange and Promotion Program, officially opened at the China Design Museum of China Academy of Art in Hangzhou.
The exhibition is jointly organized by the China Academy of Art and the Zhejiang Artists Association, and co-organized by the School of Visual Communication, China Academy of Art, the China Film Art Direction Academy, and the Graphic Design Art Committee of the Zhejiang Artists Association, with support from the China Design Museum.
Drawing upon the extensive collections of the China Design Museum and the professional resources of the China Film Art Direction Academy, the exhibition systematically traces more than seven decades of Chinese film poster design since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Centered on the curatorial concept of “Reimagining Classic Film Posters for a New Era,” the exhibition adopts a dual narrative structure that combines original classic posters with contemporary reinterpretations, breathing new life into this important form of visual cultural heritage within a contemporary context.
Opening Ceremony and Distinguished Guests.
The opening ceremony brought together leading figures and scholars from the fields of cinema, fine arts, design, and higher education. Among the distinguished guests were Gong Wei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of the China Academy of Art; Professor Chen Zhengda, Member of the CPC Committee, Director of the Organization Department, Director of the Academic Affairs Office of the China Academy of Art, and Chief Curator of the exhibition; Huo Tingxiao, Vice Chairman of the China Film Association and President of the China Film Art Direction Academy; Ye Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhejiang Artists Association; and Zhang Chunyan, Director of the China Design Museum.
The opening ceremony featured a symbolic film clapperboard ceremony, marking the beginning of a visual dialogue that transcends time and space.
Curatorial Vision: Three Sections Centered on Humanity
Chief Curator Professor Chen Zhengda explained that the exhibition is structured around the concept of “people”, unfolding through three thematic sections:
The Light of Faith explores revolutionary-themed films, reconstructing expressions of ideals and convictions through the visual language of the revolutionary tradition.
People on Site captures the everyday lives and emotional experiences of ordinary people, revealing the warmth and vitality of each historical era.
Reproduction of Classics builds upon the narrative traditions of Chinese cinema to revitalize the contemporary expression of China’s rich cultural heritage.
Together, these three sections examine spiritual identity, lived experience, and cultural continuity, bringing people—often overshadowed by grand historical narratives—back to the center of visual storytelling. In doing so, the exhibition deepens viewers’ cultural identity and understanding of China’s historical development through the language of images.
Exhibition Structure and Creative Framework
The exhibition features more than 50 original classic film posters from different periods of New China, illustrating the evolution of social contexts, design styles, and visual languages across decades.
In parallel, over 50 contemporary designers from across China were invited to reinterpret these iconic works from modern perspectives, creating a cross-generational visual dialogue between historical masterpieces and contemporary design practices.
Through a curatorial process of “Tracing Origins – Historical Review – Contemporary Recreation,” the exhibition not only presents the developmental trajectory of Chinese film poster design but also highlights its dual significance as both a repository of cultural memory and a valuable subject of design research.
Academic Dialogue and Public Programs
On the opening day, the exhibition also hosted an academic forum entitled “Classic Film Posters Reimagined: New Creations for a New Era.” Experts in film art direction, design education, and visual studies engaged in in-depth discussions on the creative process, visual language, and contemporary significance of film poster design.
The forum was followed by a series of keynote lectures and presentations exploring topics such as typography in poster design, the evolution of poster media, contemporary design methodologies, and innovations in visual communication, further expanding the exhibition’s academic scope and professional impact.
Significance and National Touring Exhibition
By combining historical scholarship with contemporary visual reinterpretation, the exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of the cultural significance and design value of New China’s film posters. It reinforces the cultural subjectivity of Chinese design while enabling these classic cinematic images to continue inspiring audiences in today’s visual culture.
The exhibition will remain on view in Hangzhou through August 30. 2026. before embarking on a nationwide tour. Future stops will include museums and art institutions in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and other major cities, continuing to promote research into Chinese film poster design and the dissemination of China’s visual culture.
