Summary of Key Points
What was once a graduation exhibition limited to art academies has, in recent years, gained popularity beyond its original niche through social media platforms such as REDnote and Douyin, evolving from a specialized event to a popular destination for many to visit. This transformation is driven by both the promotion of social media and the active cooperation of art schools. However, it has also brought new challenges, such as increased crowds, damage to artworks, and mixed reviews from the public. On the positive side, the surge in traffic has provided students with opportunities to build their personal brands and recoup the costs associated with their creative work, turning the graduation exhibition into a public platform for them to showcase their "creator" identities.
Detailed Analysis
1. How Did the Graduation Exhibition Go from Niche to Internet-Famous?
The transformation of the art academy graduation exhibition from a specialized event to a widely recognized one can be attributed to several factors:
- Early Pioneers: Works from animation and digital media departments were the first to gain attention, demonstrating the potential of art to break through online barriers.
- The Pandemic Accelerated the Trend: During the 2022 pandemic, the China Academy of Art collaborated with REDnote to hold an online exhibition, and the increase in related videos on Douyin helped make it more accessible to a broader audience.
- Full Explosion of Popularity: After the pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2023, the exhibition became even more popular, with numerous posts about the events and visitors. In 2025, some individual artworks, such as those from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and Central Academy of Fine Arts, became particularly viral.
- Schools Taking the Lead: Institutions like the China Academy of Art actively partnered with social media platforms like REDnote and Douyin to promote the exhibitions, using their official websites and initiatives like the "Creative Growth Plan" to reach a wider audience.
2. More Visitors Bring More Problems
While the increased popularity has brought many benefits, it has also introduced challenges:
- Disorder at the Exhibition: A mix of visitors—those just there to check in, families with children, and study tour groups—caused overcrowding and chaotic flow through the exhibition halls. Social media was filled with complaints about the crowds.
- Damage to Artworks: Unsupervised children damaged installations (for example, the telephone cord in the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute's artwork "Rely" was bent, and paid materials were stolen), leading students to request reservation systems to control access.
- Mixed Reviews: Non-experts in avant-garde art often criticized the works, sometimes even criticizing the schools involved, with some comments suggesting that China's art education system was failing. At the same time, guidebooks recommended certain artworks, neglecting those from less well-known but talented departments in architecture and environmental design.
3. What Makes Artworks Viral?
Viral artworks share certain characteristics:
- Visual Appeal: They are visually striking, with stunning designs and craftsmanship that impresses viewers.
- Controversy: They provoke discussion, whether through their innovative nature or the subject matter (for example, works from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and China Academy of Art).
- Emotional Resonance: They resonate with the audience, triggering personal memories or touching on common issues (for example, the Central Academy of Fine Arts' work "Tears Flow Before Words" using a phone booth to evoke memories of home, or "The Five-Person Hanging" discussing rural elderly suicide).
- Short-Term Popularity: Some works that are quirky or technically impressive may gain attention for a while but then fade from memory.
Public reviews have also changed, with professionals using technical terms, while laypeople prefer to describe artworks in terms of emotional connection and appeal.
4. Traffic as a Double-Edged Sword
The surge in traffic presents both opportunities and challenges for schools and students:
- School Measures: To manage the crowds, some schools have started charging entry fees (e.g., Nanjing University of the Arts and Central Academy of Art; Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts has always charged). However, these measures have mixed results, and implementing age restrictions can be difficult due to fairness concerns.
- Student Strategies: Some students prioritize internships over the exhibition, while those aspiring to become independent artists use the exhibition as a platform to build their online presence. They prepare in advance by accumulating followers on social media, sharing the creative process and selling merchandise to recoup costs.
5. The Exhibition as a Launchpad for Artists
For students pursuing a career in art, the graduation exhibition is no longer just a final milestone but a starting point for their artistic careers:
- Preparation: They begin to showcase their work and build their online presence while still in school.
- Exhibition Engagement: They provide context about their artworks, including sketches and behind-the-scenes information, to connect with the audience.
- Revenue Generation: They sell merchandise (postcards, cards, cultural products) to cover costs and create a revenue stream.
- Networking: They use the exhibition to establish contacts with potential collaborators for future projects.
In summary, the graduation exhibition has become a platform for students to showcase their talent and build their personal brands, marking a significant shift in its role from a purely academic event to a platform for artistic growth and career development.
Conclusion
The growing popularity of art academy graduation exhibitions is a positive development for art to reach a broader audience. However, it is essential to balance the demands of increased traffic with the need for proper organization and professional evaluation. For students, this transition presents both challenges and opportunities, allowing their artworks to reach a wider audience and laying the foundation for their artistic careers. For visitors, showing respect for the artworks and understanding the limitations of the students' creations can enhance the overall experience of this "artistic feast."