A colored pattern of decorations often seen on traditional Chinese architecture. (Photo/Sina Weibo of gugongweb)
"The Palace Museum thought about publishing colored photos of architecture in the Forbidden City as early as 2008, because they are aesthetically pleasing, but our thoughts back then were not as 'fashionable' as the coloring idea today. Since last month, with the popularity of the coloring book, our team thought about trying it with patterns found on architecture, "said Guo.
As to whether there will be a coloring book, Guo is optimistic, as "the publishing department of the museum has already contacted us and we're in talks."
All are welcome to submit their work through Sina Weibo until July 31. The best three will be selected through a public poll. There will be prizes, although what they are remains unknown.
Extensive reading are not be neglected
For Qiao Xinsheng, scholar and professor at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, the activity makes perfect use of Internet trends to provide a simple and interactive experience.
"People want to personalize things that they see on the Internet, and it is a reflection of everyone's urge to participate in the Internet era," said Qiao.
The low threshold to participate in an event as simple as coloring is also one of the major contributors to its success.
"The simpler it is, the more people would want to try it. We live in a simplified time, a 'fast food' time. It's easy to try, and also easy to abolish," said Qiao.
However, Qiao also expressed worries that we may be living in a time of oversimplified, low quality reading material.
"We are in an era of reading pictures, and not words, but without deep and thorough reading, the free thinking mind will be lost. This is alarming. Pictures will fill people's eyes and brains but they may flash by like slides. What will be left in our minds then?"
