The magic and fascination of Chinese jade objects outstandingly presented in photographs

Luminous, with a silken glow and soft to the touch, yet harder than steel, created by nature and shaped by human hand: no other material has been more highly valued in China for millennia than jade. Since humanity's earliest days, magical properties have been attributed to the mineral. As a burial gift it confers immortality and is said to improve health when given as medicine, as a talisman it bestows good fortune and protection. It is hardly surprising that jade objects became sought-after collectibles as early as the 10th century.

Zurich's Museum Rietberg is home to an exquisite collection of Chinese jade objects spanning four millennia. In his striking images, Zurich-based photographer Felix Streuli brings them to life and makes them glow. The images reveal the most intricate details and make these works of art almost tangible to the viewer. This book features around sixty of Streuli's outstanding photographs, supplemented with concise texts on the objects they show and an introduction to the history of Chinese jade art. Interspersed short stories and poems revolving around the mythical gemstone and a reflection on the photographer's gaze round out this carefully designed picture book.

«Die hochästhetische und vergrössernde Objektfotografie lässt uns alle Feinheiten der Miniaturarbeiten sprachlos! geniessen» Peter Kaiser, Die China-Philatelie

Autorentext

Alexandra von Przychowski ist Kunsthistorikerin und Sinologin und Kuratorin für die Kunst Chinas am Museum Rietberg, Zürich.

Felix Streuli lebt und arbeitet als freischaffender Fotograf in Zürich. Die fotografische Inszenierung von Kunstobjekten stellt einen besonderen Fokus seines vielfach ausgezeichneten und in Ausstellungen gezeigten Schaffens dar.

Markus Rottmann ist freischaffender Texter und Creative Director. Er schreibt für Film, Theater, Verlage sowie Museen und entwickelt Szenografien für Ausstellungen.

Zusammenfassung

The magic and fascination of Chinese jade objects outstandingly presented in photographs