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INTRODUCTION
With Dream of the Red Chamber as the cultural bridge, our Wan Feng Tong Meng (万芳同梦) Exhibition forms a platform for discourse that transcends the boundaries of time and geography. It is not only a profound appreciation of the treasured masterpiece of classical Chinese literature but also a reflection of the dynamic cultural interaction and exchange between Malaysia and China.
Using art as the medium, this special exhibition invites everyone to explore the echoes and resonances between classical literary works and cultural diversity—unveiling the beauty that is shared and the dreams that are drawn together.
Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as Hong Lou Meng (红楼梦), is a monumental work of classical Chinese literature that has captivated readers since the 18th century. Over more than 200 years, this masterpiece has been translated into nearly 40 languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Thai, Mongolian, Dutch, Czech, Malay, Spanish, Kazakh, Greek, Hungarian, and Hebrew, with over 160 translated editions. It has garnered hundreds of millions of readers worldwide. As one of the most widely disseminated and internationally influential Chinese classics, Dream of the Red Chamber serves as an important medium in introducing the magnificent traditional Chinese cultural heritage to the world.
This exhibition showcases a collection of Dream of the Red Chamber-related materials from the Chinese National Academy of Arts (CNAA), including historical documentation and artworks, complemented by Dream of the Red Chamber-themed art pieces from Malaysian collectors. The exhibition highlights the boundless vitality of the arts within Dream of the Red Chamber, as well as its legacy and development across time and regions.
Experience first-hand the Chéng Jiǎ edition (程甲) of Hong Lou Meng compiled and published by Cheng Weiyuan (程伟元) dan Gao E (高鹗) in 1791, paintings of Hong Lou Meng by a prominent artist in the Qin Dynasty, Yan Kai (燕铠) as well as the significance and influence of Hong Lou Meng in the art and literature scenes manifested through various mediums such as in theatre and fine art in different parts of the world.
The exhibition was officiated on the 4th May 2025 (Sunday) by YBhg. Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, former Minister of Transportation of Malaysia. He was also accompanied with Professor Zheng Guangxu, the Chief Librarian of Chinese National Academy of Arts, Beijing along with a delegation from the Embassy of China in Malaysia.
