Chengdu, China — In the heart of Chengdu’s Jinmen Scenic Area, a blend of ancient artistry and modern technology is weaving a new future for China’s intangible cultural heritage. At Shujing Hall, artisans are daily breathing life into traditional crafts using artificial intelligence, making the intricate techniques of Shu embroidery and Shu brocade accessible to a new generation.
Zhong Ming, the director of Sichuan Shujin Communication Co., Ltd. and head of Shujing Hall, has been at the forefront of this innovation since 2016. His team utilizes AI digital image processing to transform customer-specified images into design drafts. These drafts guide machines to weave Shu brocade fabric, which is then meticulously enhanced by skilled embroiderers.
“AI-powered Shu brocade and embroidery is our response to market demands. It broadens the expressive possibilities of traditional handicrafts, turning consumers into co-creators,” Zhong Ming explained. “This approach shortens the design period and allows personalized customization, transforming customers from ‘onlookers’ to ‘participants.'”
Shu embroidery and Shu brocade, both national-level intangible cultural heritage arts, trace their origins back over two millennia. Shu brocade dates to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770 BC – 221 BC), while Shu embroidery began in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Historically, these crafts were offered as tributes to royalty. Due to their complex craftsmanship, creating a piece could take weeks or even months, making them rare and valuable.
With the integration of AI design, the process has become more efficient, and the art more accessible. Customers can now acquire personalized Shu embroidery and brocade crafts at more affordable prices. A notable example is the “Azure Waters of Jiuzhai Valley” jewelry series. Zhong Ming’s team uses AI to convert photos of the colorful pools in Sichuan’s famed Jiuzhai Valley into unique Shu brocade patterns. These patterns are crafted into earrings and brooches, each piece distinct, beautiful, and practical.
This fusion of technology and tradition not only preserves but revitalizes China’s rich cultural heritage, ensuring that the ancient arts of Shu embroidery and brocade continue to thrive in the modern era.
