Chinese painting illuminates NZ landmark ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

In the lead-up to Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6, a painting featuring renowned Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai as its central figure was recently projected onto the iconic 328-meter-high Auckland Sky Tower.

The painter behind this remarkable artwork – titled "Raising My Head to Invite the Bright Moon" – is Alan Wang Yanke, President of the New Zealand International Art Exchange Association. He expressed his hope that the illumination could convey the warmth of reunion and the beauty of Mid-Autumn Festival in the most intuitive way possible.

On October 3, the night of the artwork's grand unveiling, several hundred invited guests gathered around the Sky Tower. Among them were local dignitaries, representatives of Chinese communities in Auckland and local residents who are passionate about Chinese culture.

Wang describes the work as a masterful fusion of traditional Chinese ink painting and the expressive techniques of modern abstract art.

As the projection began, a wave of awe and applause erupted from the crowd. One of the on-site spectators remarked with emotion, "I never imagined that a painting could make the Sky Tower appear so gentle. As 'Raising My Head to Invite the Bright Moon' was displayed, the moon in the painting seemed to rise from the tower's surface, seamlessly connecting with the real night sky. It makes the Mid-Autumn celebration more than just eating mooncakes and viewing lanterns. It truly allows us to feel the power of cultural fusion."

Wang said, "Art should not be confined to galleries or museums. It can permeate every corner of the city and serve as a bridge connecting people. This presentation shows the citizens and tourists of Auckland how art and technology can jointly shape the future of the city."

This event was considered a conduit for cultural exchange, bringing Chinese art and traditions to a wider audience in New Zealand.