Art builds stronger relationship with Chinese

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism has grabbed another opportunity to build on its already developing relationship with China when last week it hosted the chairman of China’s top art event and commercialisation entity, Asia Arts Expo.

Wen Wu spent almost a month in the region - returning to China on July 5 - during which he was able to visit the National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown and art-related initiatives in and around the Bay.

“I am so impressed with the city that I am already considering buying a house here,” enthused Wen, who shared his views with more than thee million followers on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging site similar to Twitter).

The object of Wen’s visit was to strengthen the relationship between NMBT and Asia Arts Expo, also known as Asia Arts Top show, and elevate the memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

NMBT marketing manager Titus Chuene said great strides have been achieved since NMBT joined South Africa Tourism’s China Road Show in Beijing last year in June 2012: “Asia Arts Expo is China’s top art event and commercialisation entity. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Commerce. Asia Arts Expo holds many records of China’s Art Events, such as the largest exhibition scale, the most exhibited artists and the highest percentage of deals brokered.”

Among the highlights was his visit to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University art school which is the oldest in the country.

Wen, himself a leading artist in China, was impressed by the “pure art” that still “highly prevalent” in our area, with no complications of electronic enhancement.

He was very excited to create a cultural exchange programme for students, said NMBT marketing manager Titus Chuene.

Wen also met with NMBT marketing representative for the Chinese markets Andi An, Numb City Productions representatives, Christiaan Kritzinger and Amy Shelver, as well as Mayenzeke Baza, representing Nab’Ubomi Film Making Competition – a competition open to Grade 11 learners in the Eastern Cape. Positive discussions were also held for future possibilities in linking the Nelson Mandela Bay film and television industry with China and its creative industry leaders. This would benefit  Bay SMME’s who do not always get the opportunity to engage with such industry leaders.

“The meeting went incredibly well, with a number of items discussed that could yield positive results for Numb City Productions and Nab’Ubomi.” said Amy Shelver of Numb City Productions.

Also a contemporary visual arts specialist, Wen visited various exhibitions at the NAF where he said he gained good insight into the contemporary art scene in South Africa as well as what professional artists are doing in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Bay artist Anthony Harris introduced Wen to NAF artistic director Ismail Mahomed for potential future collaborations and mentioned.

“While this was the first meeting with Mr Wen and Mr An, we found mutual ground and understanding of each other’s areas of expertise which we could develop into future collaborations between China, Nelson Mandela Bay and the National Arts Festival,” Harris said.

Wen also met with Robyn Sharwood from the GFI Art Gallery, “We are so excited at the possible opportunities to partner with China. This was our first meeting with Mr Wen. Cultural exchanges will definitely be discussed further.”

Time was also spent evaluating and exploring different way that collaborations with the GFI Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth Athenaeum, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, The Cuyler House and many more along the “The Arts Journey” route where Nina Orchurch showed Wen the “Creative Collective” of Nelson Mandela Bay.

During the visit Wen was accompanied to visit major places of interests in and around the Bay, including natural, historical and cultural sites with the aim of developing inspirational tours whereby Chinese artists could visit the destination and be inspired by the unique nature, people, art and culture. In addition growing the Corporate Incentive and High End travellers to luxury private game reserves.

Positive partnerships created between the two organizations resulted in NMBT awarding Wen a Tourism Ambassador of Nelson Mandela Bay certificate at the opening of the fifth Asia Arts Expo Annual Show at the International Trading Centre of Beijing in January 2013. NMBT did not attend the event, but the certificate was presented by Danny Christian, director of Clipper International. The opening was attended by officials and diplomats of 18 countries and reported by the major media of China.

* China has become South Africa’s fourth biggest overseas tourism market with an increase by 55.9% since 2011 as reflected in South Africa’s annual Tourism Statistics 2012. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism has ensured to capitalise on this emerging market through various collaborations and marketing strategies ensuring that the city becomes highly favourable and more accessible for the China market.