#China #Hangzhou #Metamorphoses #China Academy of Art

Metamorphoses: CAA Graduation Season 2025

As 2025 approaches, the China Academy of Art (CAA) is set to showcase its graduation exhibition titled Metamorphoses. This event reflects the vibrancy and ingenuity fostered within the academy, encapsulating the spirit of creativity and transformation typical of this dynamic institution.

Launched on May 31, the Metamorphoses exhibition explores the idea of change as it is woven into the fabric of Chinese culture. It draws inspiration from traditional philosophies, particularly the notion of the pentades, which embodies the belief that transformation is fundamental to existence. Within this framework, metamorphoses signify not only transition but also endless potential and vision.

The exhibition spans seven key locations across Hangzhou, including the various campuses of the CAA—Xiangshan, Liangzhu, and Nanshan—as well as prominent art venues like the Zhejiang Art Museum and the Quan Shanshi Art Center. In total, nearly 3,000 works from 2,971 graduates, including 1,815 undergraduates and 1,006 postgraduates, will be on display. The exhibition aims to present a collective showcase that reflects the innovative spirit of its participants.

During the opening night, an immersive event combined a thematic performance with a fascinating fashion show, despite the rain, creating an enchanting atmosphere filled with poetic moments. Yu Xuhong, president of the CAA, emphasized the significance of this year's exhibition as a concentrated display of cultural development at the academy, providing a stage for young creative talents to engage with society.

Liu Yihong, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, noted that the exhibition breaks away from traditional formats. This year’s setup is designed as an immersive square, which enhances the thematic resonance of metamorphoses, allowing visitors to experience art in a transformative way.

Central to this graduation exhibition, the faculty from the School of Styling have guided the presentation of 158 innovative fashion collections created by the graduates. This approach not only exhibits the talent of the students but also reinforces the innovative direction of the academy's curriculum.

Since 2009, the CAA has pioneered the concept of publicly presenting graduation works across disciplines, establishing a recognition system for exceptional talents and reinforcing its identity as a 'wall-less' academy. Through the integration of internal and external resources, the exhibition continues to break barriers in the educational art realm.

Faced with the vastness of the cosmos and the ever-changing global landscape, this event encourages a collaborative artistic journey, promising to generate novel insights and embrace the zeitgeist of our era. The exhibition will run until June 20, offering the public an opportunity to witness firsthand the limitless creativity of tomorrow's artists.