by Xinhua writers Diao Ze, Wang Yihan

VENICE, Italy, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The China pavilion of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, has attracted interest of visitors recently, with presentation bridging the past and the future.

Since joining the Venice Biennale in 2003, the China pavilion has become an important platform for Chinese contemporary art to meet international audience.

Themed as Dream Stream, the China pavilion this year tries to deliver a sense of crossing time and space. The theme was named after Dream Stream Essays, an encyclopedia written by Shen Kuo in China's Song Dynasty.

The exhibition combines calligraphy, video, digital art, multimedia installations and robot display to present Chinese tradition in new forms.

Artist Xu Jiang said "Dream Stream" includes elements from the treasure house of Chinese culture which are presented through imagination.

One of the highlights was a robot which writes the Chinese characters of "Dream Stream" with a writing brush. Its mechanical arm guides the writing brush with rhythm on the paper, showing force and beauty of Chinese calligraphy, with visitors gathering around and taking pictures.

Italian visitor Vanna Rossetti said Chinese calligraphy moved her deeply, calling it "a beautiful form of communication."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini said he admired Chinese culture and praised the exhibition as "wonderful," noting that it showed both China's historical culture and its vision for the future.

After receiving a robot-written calligraphy work of "Dream Stream," he said he liked the fragrance of Chinese ink and would place the work in his office.

Laura Fincato, former Italian deputy foreign minister, said the China pavilion reflects openness, dialogue and connection, as well as the creativity of the artists. She said art and culture remain important forces in building bridges when the world needs more communication and mutual understanding.

Li Xiaoyong, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, said China and Italy, both ancient civilizations, will continue to deepen exchanges in art, cultural heritage protection and other fields, strengthening the people-to-people exchanges for the development of bilateral ties.

The exhibition of the China pavilion will last till November. ■