The exhibition, through to March 5, is the first biennale of contemporary material art mounted by Tsinghua University. It is being held at the Nanchizi Art Museum, a compound in the classic Chinese garden-style that comprises wooden windows, pavilions, long corridors, pools, strange hollow stones, courtyards and other structures to remind visitors of a serene residence in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. The space showing cultural traditions and the contemporary artworks on display have created a special chemistry.

The exhibition sourced works from artists around the world who endeavor vanguard explorations with materials. Besides those showing at Nanchizi, some others are on show at another exhibition under the same title in Qingdao, Shandong province, until Feb 27.

Ma Sai, dean of the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, says the materials being used are commonly seen, such as metal, glass, fibers and plastics.

"These objects have been embedded with more dimensions and meanings by artists who have drawn from varying cultural backgrounds, social experiences and evolving international contexts," he says.