Narratives of Love

What is Love, and how would you express it? The thirteenth 751 International Design Festival, titled FUTURE PAST, is organized by 751 D·PARK, which takes place from September 27 to October 6, 2023, and brings artists, designers, architects, thinkers, and researchers to explore diverse perspectives on the notion of love, including artist Xu Bing, the most influential contemporary Chinese poet Xi Chuan, visual communicator Stanley Wong, musician and sound artist Zhu Zheqin (Dadawa), founder of MAD Architects Ma Yansong, artist Fei Jun, educator Li Yufeng. With its theme of Narratives of Love, this thematic exhibition is curated by Naiyi Wang and Tianchong Xue.

This exhibition is inspired by and collaborated with A Narrative of Love, which is a five-year research initiative by Prof David Cadman (Global Humanity for Peace Institute, University of Wales Trinity St David) and Dr Scherto Gill (Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace). This project explores the ways in which Love has been expressed in the great philosophical and wisdom traditions of all time and believes that it is A Narrative of Love that has the true potential to take us out of our present impasse towards the good life for all.

Li Yufeng’s research is part of A Narrative of Love, focusing on the perspective of traditional Chinese culture, while six world-renowned artists, designers, architects, thinkers, and researchers have been conceived to explore the power of love in practices that might invite humanity out of the current impasse, as well as how they see the significance of love in their practices.

“Love is the energetic force of the Universe. It was there at the very beginning—if we can speak of a beginning—and, whether we have noticed it or not, it has been, and is, the shaping force of the unfolding evolution of the cosmos, one thing after another seeking connection and wholeness. Love, through love, to Love. Love is expressed in the patterns and rhythms of Nature,” states Prof. David Cadman.

“Narratives of Love presents a plurality of voices and a multitude of perspectives that perfectly express the power of love, it has provided an important opportunity for carefully considering ‘Love’, and offers fertile ground for making many forms of love visible,” states curator Naiyi Wang.

Participants (in alphabetical order): Fei Jun, Li Yufeng, Ma Yansong, Stanley Wong, Xi Chuan, Xu Bing, Zhu Zheqin (Dadawa)

With special thanks to Prof David Cadman and Dr Scherto Gill.​

Curators: Naiyi Wang, Tianchong Xue