Italian artist finds Beijing home, weaving cultural bridges

Jacopo Della Rajione, an artist from Florence, Italy, found himself far from his Venetian roots, making Beijing his home since 2001. But his story is woven with cultural threads, for his grandmother's house in Venice was nestled beside the historic home of the legendary explorer, Marco Polo.

With echoes of Marco Polo's adventures resonating in his story, some friends affectionately dub him the “Modern-day Marco Polo”, as his works often become a dialogue, a bridge between cultures, much like the historic Silk Road. This bridge, Jacopo believes, should work both ways, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations and deepen their understanding of one another.

Jacopo's journey in China has transformed his artistic expression. The diligence and body movement required in Chinese calligraphy have left their mark on his work, making it a unique fusion of his Italian heritage and his Chinese experiences.

This is the second episode of our video series - Marco Polos in 21st Century, telling the stories of three Italians who have rediscovered the modern China.

Watch the video to see more.