From the Big Think article “Enter the Dragon: Here Comes China’s Creative Class” by Dominic Basulto (here):
The Year of the Dragon – traditionally the year of big, innovative ideas and breakthrough projects - might just be the year that China's creative class enters the global spotlight. The latest signal comes from the art world, where the market for Chinese artwork is exploding, putting new Chinese artists on the same footing as the greatest names in the Western artistic tradition. Last year, for the first time ever, Picasso and Warhol were being out-sold by Zhang Daqian and Qi Baishi. We already know that the Chinese are eating our lunch when it comes to the economy. Are they now taking over the creative industries as well?
Ever since the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, there has been increasing chatter about the highly anticipated emergence of China’s creative class on the global stage. Five years ago, Fast Company profiled the types of high-profile Chinese creative talent - from actresses to furniture designers - who are changing the way China perceives itself. In turn, this new creative talent could power a new type of economic engine in China -- an economic engine far removed from the traditional area of manufacturing. Whereas the Chinese once exported low-cost manufacturing goods, they could soon be exporting high-end creative products. "Made in China" may soon carry an entirely different connotation......
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