TESTI's_EI_UNELMA_TIEDOTE_ÄÄÖÖ: UPM brings Chinese master painter Wei Qingji at UPM Bioforum showroom

UPM brings Chinese master painter Wei Qingji at UPM Bioforum showroom

(UPM, Helsinki, 13 August 2015, at 09:30 EET) - UPM opens an art exhibition by the Chinese contemporary artist Wei Qingji on 14 August at Bioforum, UPM's showroom at the UPM Biofore House. The exhibition is part of the Helsinki Festival programme, and it is organised in cooperation with the Centre of International Cultural Exchange, Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China.

This year's Helsinki Festival programme "Focus China" presents one of the most comprehensive looks into Chinese art and culture seen in Europe in recent years. This is the first time that the work of the leading Chinese contemporary artist, Wei Qingji is exhibited in the Nordics.

Wei's art reflects the opening of China to the world. "I tend to transform what I see every day into my own thinking. And I have to hold on to that thinking in order to express it," says Wei Qingji.

"What I express has to be related to the environment that I'm living in and what I see every day in different types of media. Today, the progress brought by modernisation has changed our way of life substantially. We have a different aesthetic approach to art so it's necessary for me to adjust visually," Qingji explains.
 
"Ink painting is the representative art form of traditional Chinese paintings. As a renowned Chinese contemporary ink painting artist, Wei Qingji has successfully integrated innovation into traditional ink painting by connecting the spirit of literature with post-modern art flavor and his close attention to the social changes of contemporary China," says Yu Peng, Director-in-General, Center of International Cultural Exchange, Ministry of Culture of China.

"UPM has a long-term commitment to the Chinese market, and we are actively investing in China. We are happy to have this chance to bring Chinese culture to Finland. Moreover, the exhibition by the Chinese artist is also a perfect fit with the Helsinki festival's theme," says Elisa Nilsson, Vice President, UPM Brand and Communications. "The exhibition combines elements of Chinese and Western. New and old. Traditional and contemporary. Combining the traditional with the modern is also an important element in realizing UPM's Biofore vision. Sustainable innovations are built on deep respect for the heritage combined with bold and open-minded visionary thinking," Elisa Nilsson continues.

The exhibition is open for public between 14 August - 31 October 2015 at UPM Bioforum, Alvar Aallon katu 1, Helsinki. Opening hours: Tue - Fri 11-18, Sat-Sun 12-16. Additionally, the exhibition is open during the Night of the Arts, on 20 August until 22 hours. Free entrance.

For further information:

Elisa Nilsson, Vice President, Brand and Communications, tel. +358 40 500 3150
bioforum.upm.fi 

UPM press release 30 June 2015
http://www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi/

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UPM leads the reformation of bio and forest industries. We are building a sustainable future in six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve a global base of customers. We employ approximately 20,000 people, and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com

The Helsinki Festival is the largest multi-art festival in Finland, and takes place annually between late August and early September. The festival aims to offer unique art experiences to visitors from both Finland and from abroad. In 2015, the Helsinki Festival will take place between 14 August and 30 August. The Night of the Arts event will take place on Thursday 20 August 2015. Last year, the festival was attended by more than 230,000 visitors.

Centre of International Cultural Exchange (CICE) is a not-for-profit organization subordinate to Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China and a comprehensive institution engaged in cultural exchange programs. Aiming at promoting Chinese culture to the world and spreading the charm of Chinese culture, CICE has set up a close link with and provide essential support for worldwide Chinese embassies, consulates, and specially China Cultural Centres. Every year CICE organizes more than one hundred cultural events, including exhibition, performance and forum etc. in various cities, regions and countries.