The unparalleled beauty and values of ancient Greek civilization traveled to far-off China through the exhibition titled “The Countless Faces of Beauty,” which was inaugurated by Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni alongside her Chinese counterpart, Sun Yeli. During the event, Sun Yeli strongly expressed the support of the People’s Republic of China for Greece’s rightful claim for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens.
The exhibition, hosted at the National Museum of China, marks the strong cultural ties that have developed between the two countries over recent years. Organized by the National Archaeological Museum of Greece, it features 279 artifacts and highlights the aesthetic expression of humans in diverse social and cultural settings, from the Neolithic period to late antiquity.
The ancient works, combined with modern digital media, offer the Chinese audience a journey through time into ancient Greek civilization. Focusing on the concept of Beauty, the exhibition explores human creation while also delving into the intellectual foundation of technical and aesthetic choices over time.
The narrative of the exhibition is divided into four parts. “Eternal Aesthetics” presents everyday objects that document different expressions of aesthetics across human history. “The Beautiful and the Desirable” explores the aesthetic preferences of ancient societies, as revealed in archaeological findings related to clothing, hairstyles, jewelry, grooming, and ancient Greek myths about beauty. The third section, titled “Displaying the Body,” discusses the expression of beauty through the artistic representation of the human body, from the Neolithic period to historical times. Finally, “Endless Search” invites visitors to reflect on the meaning of beauty and its value for humanity.
“This exceptional exhibition traces the ancient Greek pursuit of beauty from the Neolithic period to late antiquity. It challenges intercultural dialogue and provides a unique platform for the East and West to explore a timeless subject, inspiring connections that transcend time and place,” said Lina Mendoni in her speech. “This exhibition offers the opportunity to reflect on the countless faces of beauty that shape our understanding of art, culture, and humanity.”
