There are many famous figures in Blue Star's art scene.
However, art, as a form of artistic expression, has a common saying online.
When your work becomes valuable, you'll no longer be around to enjoy that wealth.
Many painters lived in obscurity during their lifetimes, only to gain widespread fame after their deaths. A painting that was once given away for free could later fetch tens of millions of dollars, all it takes is one passing.
Of course, this is just a saying.
A painter's death can indeed increase the value of their work, provided the quality is sufficient.
The art exhibition spans two floors.
The first floor features works by the most renowned painters of the current young generation.
The second floor is even more impressive, exhibiting world-famous masterpieces. Besides non-sale items officially presented by institutions, many are privately collected works intended for sale through auction.
Each of these pieces is priceless, so there are high barriers to entry for viewing the second-floor exhibition and auction, requiring not only financial means but also connections.
Initially, Su Yu planned to just browse the first floor. However, if he needed to buy a gift for Lin Chaoyang, he would have to find a way to access the second floor.
Since it was a surprise, Lin Chaoyang's connections wouldn't suffice. But he recalled meeting the piano master Louis, who mentioned he would also attend the exhibition. Su Yu could perhaps ask him to bring him up.
"Most of the first floor features Western oil paintings," Su Yu remarked, scanning the displayed artworks.
However, as the exhibition was being held in France, it was natural for it to be entirely in the Western style.
Western cultural output in this area is very strong. Chinese ink painting, on a global scale, does not enjoy as much recognition as Western art.
Early Western modern painting greatly favored abstract art, yet Chinese painting is the earliest creator of abstract art. Why then has Chinese ink painting not gained international recognition?
This highlights the importance of cultural outreach.
In the field of painting, China's cultural outreach lags far behind Western countries; in fact, it is still primarily at a stage of cultural reception.
However, this does not imply that the artistic level of Chinese paintings is low. After all, it is a cultural inheritance spanning thousands of years, and its cultural depth far surpasses that of its peers.
Chinese painting is based on ink and brush, simultaneously pursuing a spirit of freehand brushwork, focusing more on appreciating the artistic conception within the painting. Much like the Chinese language itself, foreigners who do not understand Chinese culture may not grasp the deeper meanings.
But once understood, the profound implications contained within become clear.
The path of cultural outreach is long and arduous. Not only in Western countries, but even many Chinese people lack basic cultural confidence.
Those who admire foreign cultures are everywhere.
Yet, they are unaware that the country they inhabit is an immeasurably vast cultural treasure trove.
It's like when Zhang Daqian visited Picasso; Picasso's first words upon meeting him were, "True art is in the East, why have you come to the West?"
Picasso's fondness for Qi Baishi's freehand flower-and-bird paintings, and his extensive imitation of such works, is enough to illustrate the high artistic standing of Chinese painting.
"Ting Yu?" Suddenly, a surprised voice called out from behind.
Su Yu turned around to see.
What a coincidence.
It was the producers from "Time Music King."
"Haha, it really is you. We were just saying you didn't attend Master Charlie's auction last time, and now you've missed the famous painting auction. We didn't expect you to be here." Losov, with his straightforward personality, paid no mind to the effect his words might have.
Among the producers, he was the most outgoing and took the initiative to chat with Su Yu.
The others also wished to befriend Su Yu, but felt embarrassed to approach him after having previously isolated him.
"Just came to wander around, I was bored," Su Yu replied with a smile, glancing at Sean and Jin Chengxian, whose expressions were complex.
He held no particular feelings, either good or bad, towards these individuals, treating them as ordinary people.
However, Losov was overly enthusiastic, and Su Yu found it difficult to be rude to him.
"Want to wander together?" Losov invited, "Jin Chengxian has profound attainments in painting. He was just introducing many of the works to us, and he's going to the second floor for the auction later. I must say, Jin Chengxian's connections are exceptional."
Jin Chengxian, seeing Losov sing his praises, began to show a hint of a smile.
After spending so much money at the last auction, the image of a "tycoon" he had established in everyone's minds was finally paying off.
"Ting Yu, let's go together. The paintings on the first floor aren't that remarkable. I have some connections with the exhibition organizers, so we can go to the second floor together later. That's where the truly master works are," Jin Chengxian invited with a smile.
He now found Losov's personality to be excellent.
It perfectly complemented his idea of showing off to Ting Yu.
"Alright, let's go together then," Su Yu nodded upon hearing this.
Everyone thought he would refuse and was slightly taken aback when he agreed. They then unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Ting Yu no longer rejected them and that their relationship might improve.
To be honest, after so many episodes of the competition, even Sean deeply admired Ting Yu, a producer from China. They were all top figures in the industry, and besides the competitive relationship, there were no other grievances.
In the current situation, building a good relationship with Ting Yu would be beneficial for everyone.
"Haha, then let's continue browsing. As before, if there are any paintings you don't understand, feel free to ask me. When the second floor opens, I'll take everyone there. What do you think, Ting Yu?" Jin Chengxian's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Finally, he could show off in front of Ting Yu!
It had been Jin Chengxian's long-standing regret that Ting Yu hadn't attended Master Charlie's auction, so he hadn't seen his dashing bidding. This time, he was determined to impress him!
"I have no problem," Su Yu replied with a smile.
Since Jin Chengxian could bring him to the second floor, he wouldn't need to bother Louis.
For Su Yu, this meant owing one less favor.
The group walked through the art exhibition, attracting considerable attention.
Even though the attendees were all people from the art circles, Su Yu and his companions were too popular; almost everyone recognized them.
"Wow, the gang's all here?"
"They actually have the time to attend an art exhibition? 'Time Music King' is about to start, isn't it?"
"The last episode has no theme restrictions, so they've already started writing songs. They don't lack this much time."
"It's hard to believe Ting Yu is walking with them."
"I remember these guys isolating Ting Yu before. Now, judging by their behavior, they seem to be trying to appease him."
"Haha, the tables have turned. Who told Ting Yu to be so formidable?"
"Ting Yu is truly magnanimous, not holding grudges. If it were me, I'd cut off all contact with these people."
The group caused quite a stir.
Especially the fact that Ting Yu was among them.
This was something no one had expected.
The murmuring from the surrounding audience caused Jin Chengxian's once beaming face to gradually fade, replaced by an awkward expression.
Damn it, Ting Yu is such an arrogant person. We invited him to join us, wanting to build a better relationship, so why isn't it *us* who are magnanimous?
And why is it that when Ting Yu joins us, it becomes him not holding grudges?