2017 Maritime Silk Road Art and Culture Development Forum, „Sharing Value – Diversified Development of Art in Maritime Silk Road Culture”, Quanzhou, 11th-12th December 2017 Keynote Speech: “Shared Heritage and Cultural Diversity. Museological Glocalization in the Age of Globalization”

1. Shared Heritage and Cultural Diversity
Museological Glocalization in the Age of Globalization
© Alexander Koch 2017
Maritime Silk Road Art and Culture Development Forum, „SharingValue – Diversified Development
of Art in Maritime Silk Road Culture”, Quanzhou, 11th-12th December 2017
Panel Forum „Diversified Perspectives – Expansion and Deepening of Globalization”

2. Shared Heritage and Cultural Diversity
Museological Glocalization in the Age of Globalization
Table of Content:
1. Introduction
2. Dimensions
3. Status Quo
4. Perspectives
5. References
6. Outlook
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook2/35

3. Introduction
Main topics
• Reflections on art, culture, heritage and history connected to the Maritime Silk Road
• Current development, perspectives and transformation of museums
• Case studies on museological glocalization processes and museum industry
• According to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage China had 4,873 registered
museums in 2016 (an increase of 181 compared with the previous year)
• 87% of those museums are free and open to the public
• The average number of exhibitions held annually in China reached 30,000
• The licensed museums reached 900 Mio. visitors in 2016
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook3/35

4. Introduction
Main objectives
• Historical dimensions and discussion about the Maritime Silk Road
• Diversified perspectives on museum policy in a globalized world, especially along
the Maritime Silk Road
• Awareness on shared heritage and cultural diversity
• Better understanding of glocalization in the age of globalization
• References and recommendations
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook4/35
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain,
reference for the boom of museums and
the so called „Bilbao effect“, building by
iconic architect Frank O. Gehry

5. Reflections
Silver box from the tomb of Zhao Mo, king of Nanyue, 2nd century BC, Guangzhou,
Guangdong
• Produced in China, but influenced by Achaemenid bowls
• Similar bowls inYunnan and Shandong
➔ Traces of cultural contacts
➔ Foreign influences in China
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook5/35
Silver bowl (phiale) with floral
pattern,Achaemenid Persian,
6th-4th century BC. Arthur M.
Sackler Museum, Harvard
University

6. Reflections
Persian silver hoard of Bianwan, Suixi, Guangdong, 6-7th century AD, e.g.
• A plain poly-lobed silver bowl with Sogdian inscription
• A Sasanian or Korean(?) silver cup
• Several Sasanian coins, 5th century AD
➔ Trade along the Maritime trade routes
➔ Persian merchants in various harbors of South China
➔ Relations between China, South East Asia and the Persian world before the coming
of Islam
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook6/35
SilverbowlwithSogdian
inscriptionbelowtherim.
Accordingtothe
inscriptionthevessel
belongedoriginallytoa
dignitaryofthekingdom
ofChach(present-day
Tashkent,Uzbekistan)

7. Reflections
Ship Museum at the KaiyuanTemple, Quanzhou
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook7/35
Shipwreck excavated in 1974 from Houzhu Harbor, Quanzhou Bay, 13th century

8. Reflections
Historical traces and remains of muslims, christs
and others in Quanzhou – An important center
of commerce and trade
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook8/35
Sculpture of Mani from the Cao’an, a temple
in Jinjiang, near Quanzhou. 13th century
Mosque in Quanzhou

9. Reflections
Quanzhou Maritime Museum
• Local maritime topics, e.g. sea trade, ship
technology, foreign merchants, commercial
and cultural exchange, religious diversity
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook9/35
Muslim tombs at the back ofQuanzhou Maritime Museum

10. Reflections
Quanzhou Maritime Museum
• Exhibition with various architectural
structures, gravestones and stone
tablets related to Islam, Christianity,
Hinduism and Manichaeism
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook10/35
Gravestone with Phagspa inscription (dated 1314), from Quanzhou, China.The Phagspa
inscription reads ꡖꡟꡃ ꡚꡦ ꡗꡃ ꡚꡞ ꡏꡟ ꡈꡓ (·ung shė yang shi mu taw), representing
ChineseWēngshěYáng shì mùdào 翁舍楊氏墓道 "tomb memorial ofYangWengshe".

11. Reflections
Now when you quit Fuju [Fuzhou] and cross the
river, you …arrive at the very great and noble city
ofZAYTON. …
At this city you must know is the haven of
ZAYTON, frequented by all the ships of India,
which bring thither spicery and all other kinds of
costly wares. It is the port also that is frequented
by all the merchants of Manzi, for hither is
imported the most astonishing quantity of goods
and of precious stones and pearls. ...; for it is one
of the two greatest havens in the world for
commerce.
HenryYule and Henri Cordier (eds.),The Book
of Ser Marco Polo, theVenetian, Concerning
the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East
(London, 1903)Vol. II (Book II Chapter LXXXII).
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook11/35
Zayton (Quanzhou) as imagined by a 15th-century
European illustrator ofTheTravels of Marco Polo
Quanzhou as „the Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road“

12. The Maritime Silk Road – Construction, Deconstruction, Reconstruction
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook12/35

13. Reflections
Historical dimensions of maritime trade
• Growing relevance since later half of theTang Dynasty (8-9th century), and especially
after the fall of Kaifeng in 1126
• Mainly organized by merchants from different countries, e.g. India, Persia, the Near East
• Commercial trade and market places in harbor cities along the SouthAsian coast
• Arabo-PersiancommunitiesinSouthChina, e.g.Quanzhou,integratedintothe localsociety
• Famous journeys ofZheng He
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook13/35
China and the IslamicWorld, c. 1420

14. Reflections
The Maritime Silk Road – Construction, deconstruction, reconstruction of a modern term
• Modern construction, named after the late 19th century term “Silk Road”
• Pictorial term with strong imagination
• Historical traces
➔ Archaeological finds
➔ Written sources
➔ Tangible and intangible heritage
• Representing
➔ Cultural contacts along the South Asian coast and neighboring maritime regions
since ancient times and especially from the 8th until the 17th century AD
➔ Commerce and trade between Europe, Africa and Asia
➔ Shared heritage and cultural diversity
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook14/35

15. Reflections
Reconstruction of the Maritime Silk Road (after Kwa Chong Guan 2016)
• Represents connections and interactions of three different trading worlds.
➔ The Arabian Sea core of an Islamicated trading world, with the Persian Gulf and the
Red Sea as gateways to theWest Asian and European markets of the Silk Road.
➔ The Bay of Bengal linking the Indian subcontinent to the polities of Southeast Asia.
➔ The South China Sea trading world structured around imperial management of
foreign tribute trade to China – as part of the heqin system of “harmonious
relationship” between Imperial China and its southern neighbors – alternating with
the cycles of the Chinese market to which its southern ports of Guangzhou and
Quanzhou were the entry points.
• The Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea are spaces of circulation
and networks.
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook15/35

16. Status quo
Current situation at the Maritime Silk Road in the globalized world
• Transformation processes
• Fast urban development in bigger (harbor, coastal) cities
• Growing and changing economies
• Growing relevance of cultural institutions, especially museums
• Relevance of education
• Internationalized societies
• Growing art industry
• Growing (international) tourism
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook16/35

17. Status quo
Cities as engines of globalization and transformation
• Modern, globalized, internationalized cities – center points of greater urban areas and
continuous development
• Contact zones to neighboring regions and the hinterland
• Centers of politics, religions, economies, society, technologies, art, creativity and culture
• Harbors as gate ways to the world
• Cultural diversity, cultural authenticity
• Historical relations by trade, cultural contacts, commerce, people and religions
• Interconnected by common history and shared heritage
• E.g. Hamburg, Lisboa, Mumbai, Marseille, Rotterdam, Shanghai,Tianjin,Venice …
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook17/35

18. Perspectives
Museums and other cultural institutions along the Maritime Silk Road
• Transformation of economic and political globalization into art and culture
• Connection between society, education, leisure and tourism
• Centers of social identities and local traditions
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook18/35

19. References
Museological glocalization in the age of globalization
• Best practices and current development in recent times
• Case studies in cities along the (Maritime) Silk Road
➔ Tang West Market Museum, Xi‘an
➔ Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, United Arab Emirates
➔ China Maritime Museum, Nanhui, Shanghai
➔ Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum,Yangjiang, Guangdong
➔ National Maritime Museum,Tianjin
➔ Pingtan Art Museum, Pingtan Island, Fuzhou
➔ Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum forVisual Culture, Hong Kong
➔ Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum, Nation of Brunei
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook19/35

20. References
Tang West Market Museum, Xi‘an – „the Starting Point of the Silk Road“
• Built at the original site of the west market in Chang'an city
• Private investment and public-private partnership
• Directly at an international shopping zone, together with hotels, cafes and restaurants
• Exhibitions focusing on the Silk Road Culture with more than 1 Mio. visitors each year
• Growing tourism hotspot of Shaanxi
• Support of local / regional economies, part of urban development
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook20/35

21. References
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Cultural District, United Arab Emirates
• Marks a transformation process from oil economy to international culture tourism
• Innovative architecture designed by famous French architect Jean Nouvel
• Exhibitions with focus upon bridging the gap between Eastern and Western art
• World known brand
• Factors of cultural glocalization
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook21/35

22. References
China Maritime Museum, Nanhui (Lingang), Shanghai
• New building with functional and symbolic design by German architects Gerkan, Marg
und Partner, Hamburg
• Part of urban development (Nanhui New City)
• Devoted to maritime history of China
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook22/35

23. References
Shipwreck Nanhai No. 1,
Southern Song Dynasty
(1127-1279), Guangdong
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook23/35
Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum,Yangjiang, Guangdong
• Impressive architecture located directly at the beach
• Presentation of underwater cultural heritage, e.g. shipwreck Nanhai No. 1, still under
excavation inside

24. References
National Maritime Museum,Tianjin
• Directly at the waterside
• Designed by Australian studio Cox Rayner Architects
• World Future Project of theYear Award at theWorldArchitecture Festival Singapore 2013
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook24/35

25. References
National Maritime Museum,Tianjin
• Waterside scheme consists of halls that radiate out to the harbor, in which each contains
different exhibitions
• The Museum will be situated in front of a large plaza for outdoor events, marked by an
observation tower also acting as the museum's energy plant.
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook25/35

26. References
Pingtan Art Museum, Pingtan Island, Fuzhou
• When the museum opens it will be the biggest private museum in China
• Innovative Architecture designed by MAD architects („Ordos Museum“)
• Fusion of museum and landscape architecture, part of urban development
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook26/35

27. References
Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum forVisual Culture, Hong Kong
• At Hong Kong'sWest Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD)
• Iconic architecture, important collections, famous brands
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook27/35

28. References
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook28/35
Joint Exhibition Projects:
• Maritime Silk Road Exhibition opened in Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum in 2015
➔ Organized jointly by the Quanzhou Maritime Museum and the Brunei Museums
Department
➔ Showcase of the linkage between China and Southeast Asia including Brunei since
ancient times
Exhibits include porcelain, gravestone, ship
models, ancient coins, historical images and
documents

29. References
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook29/35
Exhibition exchange platform and long-term partnerships
• E.g. www.chinamuseum.com provided by the Chinese Museums Association
➔ Creating an information exchange network
➔ Acting as a bridge between Chinese museums and their international partners for
exhibition exchanges
➔ The platform introduces Chinese exhibitions to the world and showcases exhibitions
from around the world to Chinese museums

30. References
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook30/35
Silk Road Museum Alliance – A vigorous platform of cultural exchange and development
• Proposed and initiated by the Chinese Museums Association and established in Beijing
on May 18, 2017
• To enhance cross-border studies about the cultural heritage of the Eurasian trade route
• To share resources through activities, e.g. exhibit exchanges, training in conservation
of cultural relics, joint symposiums and scientific projects
• More than 80 participating organizations, include museums and research institutes,
e.g.WestTang Market Museum, Xi’an; China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou; State
Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg; British Library, London
• Development of mutual understanding
Shouldn't we establish an international alliance of museums
and cultural institutions along the Maritime Silk Road?

31. Outlook
Diversified Perspectives – Expansion and deepening of globalization
• Global strategies, overall concepts, local references
• Keeping of authenticity, story telling
• Digitization in a globalized world
• Museological glocalization
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook31/35
China‘s 21st century
Maritime Silk Road

32. Outlook
Conclusion – Shared heritage, cultural diversity
• We are all different…, but we have common history and shared heritage – Best
requirements for joint cooperation
• Specific authenticity
Cities and Museums – Current risks
• Faceless urban development
• Everywhere the same instead of specific authenticity / variety / diversity
• Interchangeable institutions, exchangeable characters, instead of distinctive profiles
and local references
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook32/35

33. Outlook
Cities as engines of globalization and transformation –Current challenges and opportunities
• Overall concepts of urban development, iconic and innovative architecture
• Clear profiles, specific characters
• AuthentiCITIES
• Strategical branding processes (e.g. Quanzhou as “the starting point of the maritime
silk road”)
• Development of cultural industries and tourism
Museums as mirrors of societies, urbanities, identities, cultural diversities …
• Iconic and innovative architecture (often with local reference)
• Clear profiles, specific characters
• Authenticities, story telling
• Ideal and unique connection of past, present and future
• Strategical branding processes
• Diverse cooperation – local, regional, international, bi- and multilateral
• Enormous touristic and educational potentials
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook33/35

34. Outlook
Museums along the Maritime Silk Road
• Reflections on local and regional authenticity in arts, handicraft and traditions
• Conservation of tangible and intangible heritage
• Educational and touristic offers for different target groups (visitors, consumers, user)
• Longtime transformation processes and partnership relations
• Iconic landmark architecture reflects local atmosphere
• Be creative, stay authentic
• Clear unique selling points (USP), clear marketing strategies, sustainable investments
• Enormous culture tourism potentials
Cities along the Southern Chinese coast
• Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou …
International Cities along the Maritime Silk Road
• Haiphong, Vietnam; Bangkok,Thailand; Singapore; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Dhaka, Chittagong,
Bangladesh; Calcutta, Chennai, Mumbai, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Karatschi, Pakistan; Mombasa,
Kenia; Daressalam,Tanzania; Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Doha, Qatar; Dschibuti; Port Said, Egypt;
Haifa, Israel…
Introduction Reflections Status Quo Perspectives References Outlook34/35

35. Maritime Silk RoadArt Park,Quanzhou
Thank you for your attention!
Maritime Silk Road Art and Culture Development Forum, „Sharing Value – Diversified Development of Art in Maritime Silk Road
Culture”,PanelForum„DiversifiedPerspectives–ExpansionandDeepeningofGlobalization”,Quanzhou2017
Shared Heritage and Cultural Diversity
Museological Glocalization in the Age of Globalization