Cultural communication aiming at understanding and harmony, is the theme of a new Modern Art exhibition at the Fine Art Museum of China. The show features works of 22 artists from both China and United States. The works share a vision that is universal, while at the same time, confirming and validating the individual differences. This is modern art. It's a genre which many think is much less affected than other styles, by the artists' race, nationality, or culture. But take a closer look. These artists haven't strayed far from their cultural roots.Lin Yan's black and white series uses only rice paper and ink. It's the staple medium of traditional Chinese painting. But in his hands, the two are no longer just medium. They are art in their own right. Collectively twelve artists from China and ten from the United States create the dialogue. Their's are works of inner vision - rendered at great distance from the sphere of inter-governmental affairs. But the works look back upon the world, emphasizing in every detail, life's different visions and different approaches. The Paradoxes between modern and traditional are the fulcrum upon which the exhibition and its companion forum turn. As organizer Liu Xiaochun puts it, only when modern artists touch upon the "root" of the nation's culture do they realize the difficulties inherent in communicating across cultures. Liu Xiaochun, organizer, said, " Modern art is open to all. Westerners created their modern art during the opening-up of Japan, Africa, China, India and the primitive tribes. Since the 1980's, China has opened up allowing artists to see the full spectrum of Western art. And that has great influence on Chinese modern art. There is a grand communication and fusion here. And it's led to an unprecedented self-examination of the nation's culture." Whether you catch the theme of the exhibition or not, both Liu Xiaochun and James Surls stress, an attentive look and listen, will reveal a gift for all. The exhibition is scheduled to travel to the United States next month.