【TJU Landmarks】Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art

Tianjin University, China’s first university of higher education in the modern era, is widely recognized for its excellence in engineering. Yet within this prestigious institution lies a cultural oasis brimming with artistic spirit—the Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art.

Named after the distinguished Chinese writer, artist, and cultural scholar Feng Jicai, the institute was founded in 2001 when Feng, invited by Tianjin University, became its founding director and president. Feng has often shared that his decision to accept the invitation was motivated by his deep admiration for Tianjin University (formerly Peiyang University), the first modern institution of higher education in China, which symbolizes the beginning of modern civilization.

Architecture plays a vital role in expressing civilization. With the influence of the humanities and arts, scientific and technological advancements can flourish even more profoundly. Tianjin University, known for its engineering excellence, has carefully nurtured this sanctuary of culture and artistic expression.

The architectural design of the institute was entrusted to Professor Zhou Kai, a renowned contemporary architect and recipient of the Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize. Completed in 2005, this building marked Zhou’s first project at his alma mater. The design masterfully integrates space, environment, structure, materials, and light, blending modern aesthetics with traditional Chinese poetic sensibilities, reflecting the literary and cultural spirit of the institute.

The building is enclosed by towering walls, creating a central courtyard. These walls have openings of varying shapes and sizes, resembling frames that capture the ever-changing sky. The cantilevered structure divides the space into two wedge-shaped courtyards, with a reflective pond running through them, creating both visual continuity and rich spatial layers. The exterior walls are rough-hewn, giving the building a natural, textured appearance. Inside, the spaces are dynamic, and the interplay of light and shadow creates a minimalist yet profound atmosphere. The design seamlessly blends contemporary architectural beauty with the tranquil ambiance of a traditional Chinese academy.

After turning sixty, Feng Jicai shifted his focus to the preservation of cultural and intangible heritage. The institute reflects his ideals and passions, housing four national cultural research centers: the Chinese Woodblock New Year Pictures Research Center, the Chinese Folk Art Research Center, the China’s Traditional Villages Protection and Development Research Center, and the Chinese Inheritors Oral History Research Center. These centers cover a wide range of fields, including modern and contemporary literature, cultural heritage, folk art, village preservation, and oral history. The institute also houses Feng’s personal collection of artifacts, including Buddhist sculptures, folk art masterpieces, and examples of modern residential architecture. The library contains over 100,000 books, along with Feng’s personal works of art and literature. Through his vision, Feng Jicai has transformed the institute into a museum of culture and art, with relics displayed throughout the building, from Ming dynasty stone lions and Song dynasty deity statues to contemporary sculptures by Han Meilin, and even weathered stones, deeply scarred by years of wear from the boatmen on the Yangtze River. Art permeates every corner of the space, making beauty an intrinsic part of the environment.

From its architecture to the overall atmosphere, the building elevates beauty to a sacred level. Every year, the institute hosts high-profile cultural and art exhibitions, such as “The Original Works of Italian Master Leonardo da Vinci,” “Dunhuang on the Silk Road,” and “The History of Tianjin New Year Paintings.” These exhibitions provide the university community the opportunity to engage with the arts, a testament to the vibrant cultural life on campus.

The ivy weaves freely up the courtyard walls, while birds, like old friends, whisper secrets among the vines. In the tranquil pond, colorful koi glide with grace, and the flowers, trees, and grasses grow in wild abandon. In spring, the blossoms shyly peek from behind the lattices of the ancient gate, and in autumn, the falling leaves tenderly brush the bronze shoulders of poet Xu Zhimo’s statue... No matter the weather—sun, rain, or snow, or the changing of seasons—the moment one steps through the gate, the calm and depth of the academy embrace the soul, quieting the heart.

Here, spring dances with vibrant energy, summer is wrapped in a refreshing coolness, winter drifts by like a serene poem, and autumn is the institute’s true calling card. In late autumn, the ivy turns to a fiery red, and as the autumn wind scatters the leaves, they float gently upon the pond. The red leaves, the clear water, and the vibrant koi create a harmonious scene like a painting coming to life. In this space, one feels as though they have stepped into the heart of an artful masterpiece.

Tianjin University is famous for its springtime crabapple blossoms and autumn foliage, with the “Red Leaf Season” becoming a cultural tradition since 2019. During this time, the university organizes poetry readings, photography exhibitions, and music concerts to inspire the artistic creativity of students and express their deep affection for beauty, campus life, and nature. The Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art, adorned with its brilliant autumn colors, is one of the most poetic places on campus. The “Red Leaves Season” invites visitors to pause and capture fleeting moments, allowing the beauty to be preserved in time.

In February 2023, the Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art was recognized as part of the “Chinese 20th Century Architectural Heritage,” acknowledging not only the unique craftsmanship and visionary design of architect Zhou Kai but also the cultural depth and artistic soul infused into the space by Feng Jicai. Together, they have created a pure and refined cultural sanctuary within the campus.

“Universities must face reality, but they shouldturn their backs on the mundane,” Feng Jicai once said. As an idealist, he understands that true ideals are realized through engagement with the world. He hopes that through this profound cultural foundation and the beauty that fills the space, the institute can cultivate a unique cultural spirit and a calm, insightful outlook.

“Bringing nature into the campus” is a personal cultural pursuit of Feng Jicai, and the 1,300-square-meter red-leaf wall at the institute embodies this vision. Each autumn, the ivy turns a vibrant red, and the falling leaves create a scene of unmatched beauty, with red leaves, clear water, and koi swimming in harmony. Feng Jicai has poetically referred to this spectacle as “an autumn’s calling card,” and since 2019, the “Red Leaves Season” has become a cultural tradition at Tianjin University. During this time, students and faculty gather to collect leaves, take photographs, and participate in poetry and music, making it a celebration of artistic expression.

Surrounded by beauty, the mind finds tranquility, and in this peaceful space, the essence of beauty continues to unfold. The Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art is a place to visit often, where one can still the soul and immerse the beauty of life.

Translator: Zang Yifan

Editor: Qin Mian