This week, Rodin’s The Thinker was magically teleported from the Rodin Museum in Paris to a laid-back teahouse in Chengdu, Sichuan province of the Chinese mainland. Visitors arriving at the pop-up space found the iconic bronze figure settling into a corner table amidst bamboo screens and the soft hum of conversation.
Inside the teahouse, local tea master Li Wei placed a gaiwan filled with freshly harvested scarlet oolong tea before the statue. As the first fragrant steam curled around the sculpture’s furrowed brow, a hush fell over the room. With a single elegantly poured sip, The Thinker seemed to exhale, its rigid pose softening in a moment of unexpected calm.
Chengdu’s tea culture is legendary. The city boasts thousands of traditional teahouses where residents and digital nomads unwind over fragrant brews. According to the Chengdu Cultural Exchange Bureau, more than 10 million people visited local tea salons last year, underscoring the city’s role as a global hub for immersive tea experiences.
For young global citizens, this playful installation is a reminder of art’s power to inspire cross-cultural connections. Entrepreneurs and travelers alike are drawn to events that blend history, innovation and local traditions—an experience that sparks conversation on social media and beyond.
“We wanted to create a dialogue between East and West,” says Wang Jing, curator of the pop-up. “Tea is a universal language, and even a statue like The Thinker can find peace in a gaiwan moment.”
From unexpected photo ops to pub discussions on art and mindfulness, the teahouse pop-up invites thought leaders, tech enthusiasts and culture fans to rethink how we engage with masterpieces. As the bronze statue leaves Chengdu to continue its global tour, it takes with it a taste of tea-fueled serenity.
Next stops include Tokyo, Mumbai and London, where locals will be invited to share their own cultural rituals with The Thinker. For travelers and changemakers, this winter’s art journey is proof that even the most contemplative minds need a little local flavor.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
