Contrary to popular belief, China is creative. Its just not creative according to the western definition of creativity. Its less about individual self-expression and more about ingenuity. It requires social approval, and is adopted and practiced by groups. Even as it provokes admiration, it is more real and less abstract in its form and expression, making it accessible. It is indeed a tool, a strategy for economic reform, says Kunal Sinha author of Ogilvy and Mather’s new book – ‘China’s Creative Imperative – How Creativity is transforming society and business in China’.

Leave aside images of rows of fake Louis Vuitton handbags replace them instead with shelves of self-painted shoes, designer skyscrapers, hand-made paper swans, indigenous baby baskets or chic clothes, Eastern Art is all about standing out from a crowd and functionality. For art to survive in the region it needs to be different, unique, bold and serve some kind of practical purpose for the user – whether it be designing shop signs from old plumbing or using old plastic advertisements as rain sheds.

The author an Indian – Kunal Sinha, Executive Director – Discovery, Ogilvy & Mather, traveled the length and breath of China looking for Contemporary Chinese Creativity, and he found it – in the form of teenagers who dress up as their favorite heroes for the Hangzhou cos play festival to ordinary students that design clothes and pillow cases in their free time, to watches that can even be worn as broaches.

Unfortunately, creativity follows economics and not the other way round, explaining the reason why China’s art market is booming only after the country started excelling economically. The nations stress on rote leaning is also an agent that often kills creativity in the bud.

if you are interested in reading the book click here