Posted: February 24, 2016

Musee des Arts Decoratifs has announced the acquisition of Loretta H. Yang’s Formless but Not Without Form - The way of Bodhisattva and Chang Yi’s A Realm of Zen within Fire - Parrot Tulip. This will be the first Chinese liuli art acquired for the museum’s permanent collection since its inception in 1904. With this addition, Musée des Arts Décoratifs joins the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Bowers Museum in California and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing in housing the work of Yang and Chang among their respective collections.

Century old Parisian institution acquires Chinese liuli

Chief Curator of Musée des Arts Décoratifs Jean-Luc Olivie first laid eyes on the work of Loretta H. Yang and Chang Yi in September 2015. He recognized the conceptual and technical mastery of the pair and their impact on the future of glass art.   He announced then and there his wish to acquire their work to bolster the museum’s collection of contemporary glass art. Singling out Chang’s A Realm of Zen within Fire, he says, “A black bottle with opaque flowers - this piece is truly museum worthy.”

For over a century, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs has solidified its status as an indisputable authority on glass art and kept a watchful eye on the development of the genre. Among its collection is the work of Émile Gallé , Henry Cros, François Décorchemont and acclaimed contemporary glass artists. The addition of Chang Yi and Loretta H. Yang’s liuli masterpieces to the museum’s permanent collection fills the institution’s void of contemporary Chinese art and confirms the artists’ global influence and status.

A milestone for contemporary Chinese glass art

This acquisition also marks the first time the Musée des Arts Décoratifs has received an endowment from a private collector from Asia. A common practice among contemporary art museums in Europe and North America, the exchange builds a relationship between the artist, collector and museum. It also extends the longevity of the genre and enriches the public space with what would have been privatized. This endowment permanently links the collector with the museum and with contemporary Chinese art.

*Musée des Arts Décoratifs

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is located within the west wing of the Louvre and with over a century of history, is one of the most important contemporary museums in France. Former French Minister of Culture Jack Lang started an initiative that would join the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs; the three institutions would eventually become the world’s largest museum collective.

*Jean-Luc Olivie

A key figure in the establishment of the museum’s glass department, Mr. Olivié has greatly bolstered the museum’s collection of contemporary glass art. He has curated many pivotal exhibitions and has served as editor on several glass art tomes. Mr. Olivié is indispensable member of the contemporary French art world, especially in the realm of glass art.

Jean-Luc Olivié attends Loretta H. Yang’s solo exhibition at the Ateliers d’Art de France’s Collection Gallery. Mr. Olivié warmly praises the two artists’ work and personally take them on a tour of the museum. He also announces his desire to collaborate with Yang and Chang.

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Related Links

• LIULI's Work Acquired by World-class Museums
• Chang Yi Bio
• Collection: A Realm of Zen within Fire
• Loretta H. Yang Bio
• Collection: Formless But Not Without Form