Consul General of China in Houston Cai Wei (right) discusses the art of Taihu rock with art patrons George and Barbara Williams at the dedication of the 12-foot rock for the San Antonio Museum of Arts. [MAY ZHOU / CHINA DAILY]
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Consul General of China in Houston Cai Wei agreed that when it comes to lasting friendship, a rock weighing 6.5 tons might be one of the best objects to symbolize that.
The 12-foot tall, 6-foot wide Taihu rock was officially dedicated to the San Antonio Museum of Arts (SAMA) on Wednesday night on the bank of the famous Riverwalk by attendees from San Antonio and Wuxi.
SAMA Art Director Katherine Luber recounted how SAMA assistant curator Shawn Yuan whispered in her ear, "Ask for a rock" when she was discussing possible collaboration with Wuxi Vice Mayor Liu Xia last year. Liu was leading a delegation to participate in San Antonio's Tricentennial.
Officials, including the Consul General of China in Houston Cai Wei, get their photos taken in front of the newly unveiled Taihu rock. [MAY ZHOU / CHINA DAILY]
The words eventually led Luber and Yuan to a quarry by Taihu Lake in China, where they picked out the rock they would like as part of the SAMA collection. After a monthlong transoceanic voyage, the rock finally arrived in San Antonio early this year and was installed.
Wuxi and San Antonio became sister cities in 2012. With a canal running through both cities, the two also became sister canals last year.
Nirenberg had visited Wuxi when he was a City Council member.
