I am Chen Zhigang, and I have been immersed in the jade industry for over thirty years. From my beginnings as an apprentice to my current role as the head of a jade carving studio, I have personally witnessed the rise and fall of jade carving art, and profoundly experienced its enduring vitality. Today, I want to discuss with you how jade carving art can better inherit and innovate in this digital age, achieving a fusion of its "new" and its "heart."

I. The "New" in Jade Carving: Technological Empowerment and Aesthetic Iteration

We often say that jade carving is an art of "harmony between heaven and man," emphasizing adherence to the natural textures and colors of the jade stone. However, in today's era of information explosion and rapid technological advancement, "new" elements are permeating all aspects of jade carving creation at an unprecedented pace.

#### 1. Technological Empowerment, Breaking Traditional Constraints.

In the past, jade carvers primarily used hand tools such as carving knives and grinding wheels, which were inefficient and resulted in significant material loss. Today, technologies such as 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer numerical control (CNC) carving are beginning to emerge in the field of jade carving.

For example, my studio recently experimented with using 3D scanning technology to model a uniquely shaped Hetian jade pebble. Through precise three-dimensional data, we can repeatedly refine design proposals on the computer, simulate carving effects, and even predict potential cracks, thereby maximizing the preservation of the jade's natural beauty and reducing uncertainties during the carving process. This not only improves efficiency but also provides carvers with a broader creative space, allowing them to focus on artistic conception rather than tedious manual labor.

Of course, I emphasize "empowerment," not "replacement." Technology is always a tool; the soul of jade carving still lies in the carver's ingenuity and understanding of jade. CNC carving can complete complex geometric shapes or repetitive tasks, but the warmth, delicacy, luster of jade, and the force and emotion of each cut, all depend on the meticulous craftsmanship of human hands.

#### 2. Aesthetic Iteration, Embracing Diverse Cultures.

In contemporary society, people's aesthetic concepts are increasingly diverse. Jade carving art is no longer merely a repetition of traditional themes but has begun to absorb and integrate elements of modern art, Western design, and even popular culture.

I once saw a young jade carver combine traditional "huiwen" patterns with modern geometric lines to create a highly contemporary ornament, which was deeply loved by young consumers. This demonstrates that jade carving art is not an immutable antique; it can fully keep pace with the times and exhibit new vitality.

This aesthetic iteration is also reflected in the choice of themes. In addition to traditional auspicious beasts, flowers, birds, and figures, some jade carvers are beginning to focus on social hot spots, environmental themes, and even incorporate abstract art into their jade carving creations. This not only expands the expressive power of jade carving art but also makes it more relevant to contemporary life and emotions.

II. The "Heart" of Jade Carving: Artisan Spirit and Cultural Inheritance

Despite the continuous emergence of "new" elements, the "heart" of jade carving art – that reverence for jade, dedication to craftsmanship, and inheritance of culture – remains its unshakable foundation.

#### 1. Artisan Spirit, the Soul of Jade Carving Art.

Jade carving is a slow art that requires carvers to settle down and communicate with the jade. It often takes months or even years for a piece of raw jade to transform from a rough stone into a finished product. During this period, carvers must not only possess exquisite skills but also extraordinary patience and perseverance.

I personally experienced a piece of excellent Hetian jade pebble. Due to a tiny flaw, I repeatedly conceived and revised the design, ultimately deciding to cleverly integrate the flaw into the work, making it a brilliant highlight. This process cost me a great deal of effort, but the moment the work was completed, all the effort became worthwhile. This is the artisan spirit; it's not just about doing things well, but about doing them to the extreme, imbuing them with life and soul.

This artisan spirit is also reflected in the understanding of jade. Every piece of jade has its unique "temperament"; some are hard, some are warm, and some have natural fissures. Excellent jade carvers can perceive the inner beauty of jade, apply their skills according to the material, and turn decay into wonder.

#### 2. Cultural Inheritance, the Root of Jade Carving Art.

Jade carving art carries thousands of years of cultural accumulation of the Chinese nation. From the jade dragons of the Hongshan culture to the jade ritual vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and then to the jade ornaments of the Ming and Qing dynasties, jade has always been closely linked to the development of Chinese civilization.

In my studio, we attach great importance to the study and research of traditional culture. We regularly organize studies of ancient jade carving patterns, forms, and meanings, and integrate them into modern creations. For example, we once drew inspiration from the artistic conception of the "Book of Songs" to create a series of jade pendants, combining the charm of classical poetry with the warmth of jade, which was deeply loved by collectors.

Inheritance is not mere replication. How to innovate within inheritance and allow ancient culture to radiate new brilliance in modern society is a question that our generation of jade carvers needs to ponder deeply. My understanding is that we need to deeply explore the essence of traditional culture, understand the philosophical ideas and aesthetic tastes behind it, and then express it in modern language and techniques, so that more people can understand and appreciate it.

III. Conclusion and Suggestions

The future of jade carving art lies in the organic combination of the "new" and the "heart." Technological progress and aesthetic iteration bring infinite possibilities to jade carving art, while the artisan spirit and cultural inheritance provide its solid foundation and inexhaustible动力.

For practitioners in the jade carving industry, I have the following suggestions:

  • Embrace technology, but do not be bound by it. Actively learn and apply new technologies to improve efficiency and creative space, but always remember that the soul of jade carving lies in human hands and ingenuity.


  • Broaden horizons, integrate diverse elements. Pay more attention to modern art and design trends, dare to try cross-border collaborations, and make jade carving art more contemporary and international.


  • Adhere to original aspirations, inherit culture. Deeply study and understand traditional culture, integrate its essence into creation, and let jade carving art become a bridge connecting the past and the future.


  • Focus on education, cultivate new talent. The inheritance of jade carving art is inseparable from fresh blood. We should actively cultivate a new generation of jade carvers, provide them with platforms for learning and growth, and enable them to create their own styles based on inheriting tradition.


I believe that as long as we hold reverence for jade, dedication to craftsmanship, and love for culture, this brilliant pearl of jade carving art will surely shine even brighter in the digital age.