French city to set up international ceramics studio in China

The French city of Limoges will set up an international ceramics studio in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, a visiting official with the Limoges City government said Monday.

The studio, which will open in spring 2011 and welcome European experts by the autumn, will be managed by an academic institution, known as Ecole nationale superieure d'arts (ENSA), at the French city, said Eric Martin, director general of services with the Limoges City government, on the "Limoges Day" at the 2010 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Fair.

"The studio will serve all European art institutions and academies which are interested in Chinese ceramic art. Chinese artists will be deeply involved in sharing their traditional craftsmanship in a modern studio with European artists," said Eric Martin.

Limoges, the famous European center of enamel production, is well known for medieval copper enamels. Similarly, Jingdezhen, known as the ceramic capital of China, has a history of producing quality pottery going back 1,700 years.

"Jingdezhen represents the top level of world porcelain art. Limoges will never forget what its ceramic industry has learned from Jingdezhen. And now, the new studio will link them in the future," Eric Martin said.

The 2010 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Fair is being held from Oct. 18 to Oct. 22.

Source:Xinhua