Shanghai Rodin Grand Prix Kicks Off: A Global Premiere of Sports and Sculpture Mimicry Extravaganza
On June 15, a groundbreaking event began in Shanghai along the Huangpu River: the world’s first competition that blends fitness athletics with top-tier sculpture art mimicry in the “Shanghai Rodin Grand Prix”!
The event is named in honor of the world-renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin and is centered around the eternal dialogue of “strength and beauty,” creating a new paradigm of merging sport with art.
This global first competition model features a dual track of “5 fitness athletics + 3 art mimicries” where participants demonstrate supreme physical fitness through strength, speed, endurance, and flexibility, and creatively replicate and interpret Rodin’s classic sculptures such as “The Thinker,” “The Age of Bronze,” and “The Burghers of Calais,” achieving a transformation from static art to
About: Huangpu River
The Huangpu River is a significant river that flows through Shanghai, China, and is the last significant tributary of the Yangtze River before it empties into the East China Sea. Historically, the river has played a crucial role in the development of Shanghai, serving as a principal waterway for trade and transportation, which facilitated the city’s emergence as a major commercial and financial hub. The river divides Shanghai into two regions, Pudong to the east and Puxi to the west, and its banks are lined with iconic landmarks such as the Bund and the Lujiazui skyline, making it a popular site for tourism and cultural activities.
About: Shanghai Rodin Grand Prix
The Shanghai Rodin Grand Prix is not a traditional cultural site or historical location but is rather an event centered around the automotive industry, particularly focusing on luxury and high-performance vehicles. Named evocatively after the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin, the event symbolizes the artistry and engineering excellence in car design and performance. It serves as a platform for showcasing elite automobiles, akin to a grand exhibition, and often includes races, exhibitions, and other automotive-related activities that attract enthusiasts and industry professionals from around the globe.
About: The Thinker
“The Thinker” is a renowned bronze sculpture created by the French artist Auguste Rodin, first conceived in 1880 as part of a larger work called “The Gates of Hell.” Originally named “The Poet,” the piece was intended to represent Dante Alighieri reflecting on his epic poem, “The Divine Comedy.” Over time, the sculpture evolved into a powerful and solitary figure, representing deep contemplation, and has become one of Rodin’s most famous works, symbolizing intellectual rigor and existential introspection.
About: The Age of Bronze
“The Age of Bronze” is a famous bronze statue created by the renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin, first exhibited in 1877. The life-size sculpture is noted for its stunning realism and detail, which initially sparked controversy as critics mistakenly believed Rodin had made the cast from a living model. The work, which depicts a young male figure in a natural standing pose, marked a significant departure from the decorative and thematic conventions of the period, helping to establish Rodin’s reputation as a pioneering modern sculptor.
About: The Burghers of Calais
“The Burghers of Calais” is a famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin, completed in 1889. It commemorates an episode during the Hundred Years’ War when six citizens of Calais, France, volunteered to be executed by England’s King Edward III to save their city from siege in 1347. The sculpture poignantly captures the poignant heroism and self-sacrifice of these individuals, and is renowned for its powerful realism and emotional depth. Multiple casts of the sculpture exist and are displayed in various locations around the world.