Zijing Li

· Proposed, designed and orchestrated an art exhibition in Tokyo, aimed to explore traditional Chinese culture, religion and the relationship between humans and nature, referenced to the Daoist practices in the East

· Reached out to artists from Japan, the U.S., India, and China, screened and selected 32 artworks to feature, ensured diversity of art mediums incl. sculpture, collage, and oil painting, carefully arranged works to establish aesthetic harmony

· Initiated marketing strategies highlighting the exhibit’s introspective and cultural value, successfully attracted 500+ visitors, and fostered an environment of cross-cultural appreciation and understanding

· Headed a 6-person team to design an innovative rain collection model, enhanced water utilization and traditional building preservation in Beijing, emphasized integration with existing architecture and sustainable urban conservation

· Conducted research on the Forbidden City’s geographical setting, interviewed professionals to understand its historical contexts and intricate architectural design, developed understanding of the site’s unique environmental and cultural needs

· Created a 3D model to conceptualize and present a tailored rainwater harvesting solution, praised for creativity and efficacy

Advised by Prof. James Mcclain from Brown University

· Extensively studied Japanese history under Professor McClain from prehistoric to modern era, engaged in discussion on the evolution of Japanese politics, culture, and religion, explored the country’s historical trajectory

· Conducted focused research on Japan’s post-war generation and artistic expression, analyzed the works of renowned artists Murakami and Nara as a lens to understand the impact of war on society and individual psyche

· Presented a well-received paper at ICIHCS 2023 on post-World War II Japan, explored the interconnectedness of business and art under the historical background, shed light on the mental health issues that emerged in the aftermath of the war

· Collaborated with 10 students on a field study in Shaxi, analyzed the impacts of corrosion and water pollution on ancient buildings and local inhabitants, garnered insights into environmental challenges faced by the community

· Undertook extensive secondary research on Shaxi’s geographic distribution and population density, reached out to ~20 local residents for first-hand interviews, leveraged this multifacetd approach to confirm the presence of domestic sewage

· Devised a strategic solution to mitigate water pollution issue, focused on centralized sewage collection and implementation of activated sludge process, aimed to perseve the integrity of the region’s historic architecture

· Designed 3 apparel collections inspired by Monet, integrated the color palettes and imagery from his iconic paintings

· Oversaw marketing processes, negotiated with factories to ensure optimal material selection and cost-efficient productions

· Initiated charity sale and raised 10k+ RMB, donated to empower female dancers in rural China in their professional pursuits