Chongqing the world’s largest city at 32 million is a confluence of three rivers.

 

Crossing the Jialin River there was evidence of the worst drought since the 1960’s. While not centred near Chongqing the effect on the river was obvious and very low. 

 

I found it odd there were so few bicycles in Chongqing but considering it is built in the cliffs overlooking the Yangzi and other rivers and how difficult cycling would be.

 

 

Chongqing and its 32 million residences is a City/Province having representation at the central government. That is like Toronto having status as a province. It has brutal smog and hot humid weather as it, along with Chengdu sits in a natural basin. Any other area with the extreme heat that Chongqing has would be a desert but the effects of the Indian and Pacific Oceans make it humid and actually quite lush. My visit was actually quite nice and there always seemed to be a breeze.

 

 

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The Canadian Consul General was kind enough to assign an interpreter for my visits to two museums in Chongqing. The first was the Chongqing Science and Technology Museum. Coco Wen, the interpreter and I had time for me to brief her on my priorities with the museums. Make friends, gain credibility, identify if RAM or other exhibits could come to China, identify exhibits to come to China and maybe even find a museum to sign a Friendship Agreement.

 

Opening in 2009 this museum will host 1.6M visitors this year. It is an outstanding building with a glorious vista in all directions. It too is built into the side of a mountain and surrounded by parks. There are stairs everywhere! The staff I met were wonderful, humble and kind. They spent much of their time trying to understand how the art of RAM worked which was a good sign. They have space and would like to host RAM and together we need to find funding.

 

Several Canadian companies, some with connections to Waterloo Region continue to come up. Corporations from China also are being mentioned. The Canadian artists are getting a lot of attention which is terrific as I would not only love to showcase an exhibit developed and created in Canada but also specifically Canadian artists. A priority upon my return to Canada is to confirm collaborations with corporations who wish to assist with this cultural exchange and who could benefit from brand awareness in China.                

 

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Of all the museums in China I've seen Three Gorges Museum is the oldest opening in 2005.

 

All of the others opened in 2009. It is remarkable how the central government built spectacular museums across China at what must have been incredible cost. Some have temporary galleries larger than THEMUSEUM in Waterloo Region.

 

 

For the most part all museums are free or the cost maybe 30 Yuan (4.50 CDN) and less for children. What seems to be a trend is in their first year all of the museums enjoyed 1 million plus visitors. While the Three Gorges Museum tells the history of the dam it also has several temporary galleries and also a collection of 20th century art. Two exhibits in particular were of interest to bring to Canada as the art was created by peasants and tells a colourful story of China.

 

Next flight is to Shanghai