Eating the Mountain: We swallow the land; It swallows us In an era where landscapes are gradually receding and identities are constantly shifting, how do we once again answer: “Who am I?” “Where do I come from?” “Eating the Mountain” was originally a way of life for those who lived by the mountains, and also a rural idiom in Chinese. Today, it is reactivated as a cultural metaphor—pointing to how we, through food, land, body, and memory, seek belonging and shape the self.

In the exhibition, “eating” is not only an action but also a way of perceiving. We swallow the taste of the land, the language of our family, the scents of childhood—while those overlooked landscapes and terroirs quietly swallow us in return.

The “mountain” is both a geographical space and a bodily experience, a gap at the fault lines of culture, and an unfinished sentence in one’s mother tongue.

This exhibition invites artists to respond to the proposition of “Eating the Mountain,” using food and land as points of sensory connection to develop cross-media creations and narrative practices.

📌 Special Support

This exhibition is sponsored by the D & E Foundation in the United States, a charitable foundation whose core mission is to promote global cultural exchange and artistic diversity, with long-term support for art projects that hold cross-cultural perspectives and social reflection.

International endorsement: Funded and recognized by overseas cultural institutions, adding global influence and credibility to the exhibition.

Network expansion: Leveraging the foundation’s international artist network to increase the possibility of cross-border collaboration and future touring exhibitions.

Resource support: Providing potential follow-up project applications and exposure opportunities for some participating artists.

📌 Exhibition Location Advantages

Hackney, E2 8ET

• London’s creative hub: Adjacent to Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, one of the most vibrant contemporary art and creative communities in London.

• Targeted audience: The area gathers galleries, independent bookstores, design studios, and cultural spaces, attracting a high density of art professionals and creative industry practitioners.

• Rich cultural atmosphere: Retains industrial architecture and historical textures, often serving as a preferred location for experimental exhibitions and independent cultural events.

📌 Exhibition Information

Venue: Hackney Rd, E2 8ET

Dates: 13–15 September 2025

Project: Official partner exhibition of the London Design Festival

📌 Submission Details

Deadline: 3 September 2025

• By 25 August: Early bird participation fee £130

• From 26 August: Standard participation fee £150

Required materials:

• Artwork title & description (100–200 words)

• High-quality artwork images

• Year of creation, price, medium & dimensions

• No copyright or intellectual property disputes

Media: No restrictions on medium or theme.

📌 Participation Benefits

• Exhibition certificate

• Project listing on the London Design Festival official website

• Promotion via London Design Festival official Instagram

• Media coverage (e.g., Ourculture)

• Curator recommendations / cross-border exchange opportunities

• Online + offline publicity support

📌 Notes

• Artists are responsible for artwork transportation and insurance costs.

• A 20% commission applies to sales during the exhibition.

📌 Participation Fee

£130 early bird / £150 standard.

Artists will receive confirmed participation in an official partner exhibition of London Design Festival, inclusion on the official LDF website, promotion via LDF’s social media channels, media coverage (e.g. Ourculture), and a participation certificate.

• Exposure: The exhibition will be promoted through LDF’s official Instagram and partner media. LDF has international recognition comparable to Milan Design Week, and past exhibitions have been featured by Dezeen, Designboom, Wallpaper, The Guardian, and the Financial Times.

• Digital Access: For online visibility, the exhibition is listed on the official LDF platform, typically accessed by a global audience of design professionals, students, and enthusiasts.

• Physical Exhibition: The exhibition will be held at HAKENEY RD, E2 8ET (13–15 September 2025), as part of the London Design Festival. Past exhibitions have attracted significant visitors, with workshops often selling out early