#China #Marco Polo #Alessandro Martini #Chinese Craftsmanship #Nantong, Suzhou, Nanjing

A Modern Marco Polo: Exploring Traditional Chinese Crafts

In 2024, we celebrate the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's passing, a pivotal moment in cultural exchange between the East and the West. This year, Alessandro Martini, a young man from Milan, embodies the spirit of exploration as he steps into the role of Marco Polo in the dance theater performance "The Invisible Cities." Alessandro's fascination with the legendary traveler began in elementary school, leading him to dream of visiting China. Years later, he finally set foot in the country he had longed to explore.

Over the past eight years, Alessandro has traveled extensively throughout China, immersing himself in its rich and mysterious intangible cultural heritage. He describes it as a treasure trove of wisdom and techniques, many of which await discovery. Much like a modern Marco Polo, he frequently visits unique cities in pursuit of traditional Chinese crafts and seeks out local shops and museums run by young artisans. Guided by these cultural successors, he delves into captivating Eastern techniques, eagerly sharing his findings with a global audience.

One of his notable destinations was Nantong in Jiangsu province, where he studied the renowned Blue Calico dyeing technique. This picturesque city is steeped in cultural significance and is even mentioned in Marco Polo's travel accounts, "Il Milione." The natural materials used in creating Blue Calico, such as cotton and the "Lan" plant (Polygonum tinctorium Ait) that produces indigo dye, are sourced directly from nature. The blue and white color combination of this technique reflects the natural world and embodies the Chinese philosophy of living in harmony with the environment.

Alessandro's journey also took him to Suzhou, Jiangsu, where he visited the Xiangshan Guild to learn the ancient mortise and tenon joint technique. Interestingly, Suzhou and Venice, Marco Polo's hometown, are sister cities. Although the Xiangshan Guild may not be internationally recognized, its craftsmanship shines through in iconic structures like the Forbidden City, the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs, and the Humble Administrator's Garden. These architectural masterpieces showcase the guild's skills.

The mortise and tenon joints, which require no nails or glue, fit together perfectly, allowing them to maintain their original shape and balance while standing the test of time. This method exemplifies the Chinese philosophical approach that balances strength and flexibility, serving as a testament to the sophisticated engineering and profound cultural wisdom inherent in traditional Chinese construction techniques.

Through Alessandro Martini’s explorations, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing and preserving traditional crafts. His passion and dedication to learning and sharing new knowledge not only pay homage to Marco Polo but also illuminate the rich tapestry of cultural heritage that continues to thrive in modern China.

For more insights, follow Youth China on YouTube: Youth China. More of Alessandro's journeys can be viewed in these videos: Video 1 and Video 2.