Photo: Courtesy of Douban

A modern art exhibition inspired by the rare animals and wildlife from the Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), an important work on geography in ancient China, kicked off in the Beijing Nanchizi Museum on Wednesday.

Since ancient China, people have created all kinds of literary works in which the unique romance of Chinese people can be seen. Such a romantic aura is extensively told in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Containing rich legends and fairy tales, the book is very valuable for historical studies, and especially helpful for research into primitive society of China, as well as primitive surnames, tribes and ancient people's knowledge and understanding of the universe, nature and social development.

The exhibition, Fantastic Creature: Seeking the Wonders from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, is curated by Hu Danjie. A total of 19 modern artists born in the 1950s to the 1990s were invited to take part. Through their 70 some masterpieces, visitors can return to ancient times and immerse themselves in human imagination. 

The exhibition also offers audience a multi-media experience. Inside the exhibition hall, contemporary Chinese paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, digital photos and installations are gathered together in the garden-like space of the museum. Through this exhibition, the artists explore the possibility of contemporary art giving birth to new life from traditional Chinese mythology.

The exhibition will last until March 31.