Bilibili Documentary Innovation Space in Dingshu town. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]
Dingshu town in Yixing, Wuxi, has collaborated with Chinese video sharing platform Bilibili to promote its traditional purple clay pottery culture among young generations.
The documentary In the Name of Clay, co-produced by Creative & Cultural Ceramic Avenue and Bilibili, is central to this collaboration. It documents the history and evolution of Yixing purple clay pottery-making techniques and emphasizes the strong link between this craftsmanship and daily life. Since its release, the film has attracted over 20 million views and received a rating of 9.8.
Documentary In the Name of Clay is screened in the Bilibili Documentary Innovation Space in Dingshu town. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]
If In the Name of Clay serves as the driving force behind the online popularity of Yixing purple clay culture, then the Bilibili Documentary Innovation Space is the key scene for experiencing it firsthand.
Recently opened at The Second Purple Clay Factory, the Bilibili Documentary Innovation Space has established itself as a new cultural landmark in the city. This venue combines cultural exhibits, immersive experiences, and popular interactions, breathing new life into Yixing purple clay culture.
Upon entering the space, visitors are welcomed by a subway carriage design. The left side opens to a diverse world where Bilibili's iconic "Little TV" is reimagined as a "Yixing clay artisan". This area also showcases 24 popular IP derivatives, including Luo Xiaohei, along with cultural works from In the Name of Clay.
On the right side of the carriage is the viewing area, where visitors can watch In the Name of Clay and enjoy three other highly-rated Bilibili documentaries: The Lost Treasures, The Cat People, and It's Bad Emotions, It's Okay. On the second floor, the exhibition area displays teapots made by the protagonists of In the Name of Clay.
