Every time I visit London’s Chinatown, I go in with hope—but leave with a sense of disappointment. The fading red lanterns, repetitive restaurant signage, and stereotypical calligraphy motifs seem stuck in a dated imagination of Chinese culture. It feels nostalgic, yet lacks refinement and any expression of contemporary Chinese aesthetics.
Not long ago, I visited Japan House, also located in London—a completely different experience. There, Japanese culture is presented with elegance, minimalism, and philosophical depth. Every detail, from exhibitions to product displays and spatial design, reflects cultural confidence and aesthetic precision. That visit made me reflect:
Why is it that Chinese aesthetics—with all its rich visual and philosophical traditions—are often presented abroad in such a narrow and outdated way?
Can we, and should we, find a more contemporary and globally resonant way to share the essence of Chinese beauty with the world?
This question became the starting point of my project—an exploration of how new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can help reimagine and communicate Chinese aesthetics in a modern, intelligent, and widely accessible way.
(Here I will insert comparison photos I took in London’s Chinatown and Japan House, along with a link to the Japan House website: https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/)
chinatown
Japan house
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