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Cultural Collision! The Magical Chemistry of Tradition and Modernity at the Multicultural Seminar

By Yvonne Chen


Melbourne VIC - It was a dazzling exchange of Eastern and Western cultures, allowing us to experience the charm of cross-cultural art. Without further ado, let’s dive into the highlights of this exciting collision of knowledge and art.


A huge thanks to our extraordinary guest, Dr. Angelina Mirabito, an Italian-Australian performance artist, trauma novelist, and nonfiction writer! In the seminar, Dr. Mirabito explored the power of cultural fusion. She explained that cultural integration goes beyond the merging of backgrounds; it creates new, diverse forms of cultural expression through artistic interaction. Moreover, she highlighted the power of dialogue. The dialogue between tradition and modernity helps us better understand past experiences and transform them into innovative energy for today.



Romantic Dialogue Between Chinese and Italian Art:

In the discussion, Dr. Mirabito highlighted the natural connection between Chinese and Italian traditional art. She drew parallels between the use of “spiritual resonance” and “white space” in Chinese painting and the emotional expression of Italian Renaissance art. By merging Eastern philosophy with Western visual impact, this cross-cultural fusion creates a unique art form that reflects the best of both worlds.



Masterpiece Showcase:

Through the works of artists Xubing and Lorenzo Quinn, Dr. Mirabito demonstrated the perfect combination of traditional and modern elements. Xubing’s Book from the Sky fuses traditional Chinese calligraphy with modern conceptual art, challenging the boundaries of language and meaning, while Lorenzo Quinn’s sculptures combine classical Italian art with modern environmental issues. These examples show how traditional art can innovate in a modern context and inspire fresh artistic thinking.



Behind-the-Scenes Artistic Tidbits:

Dr. Mirabito also shared some behind-the-scenes secrets of her creative process. She revealed that many of her works are driven by intense emotions, often influenced by multicultural experiences. She emphasized the role of visual art in cross-cultural understanding, as it provides a universal platform for expression, fostering communication and collaboration across cultures.


Lucky Draw:

This time, we offered special prizes, including tickets to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition and NGV annual passes! Congratulations to the lucky winners—you’re one step closer to your artistic dreams!

This seminar deepened our understanding of how art plays a critical role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding. We look forward to more events like this in the future, continuing to explore the intersection of tradition and modernity and expanding cultural boundaries.


If you have more art topics or artists you’d love to learn about, leave us a comment below!


Media Contact

Eva Laun 04 2687 1288 | hello@wcpd.org.au

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