Han Meilin (2nd from right) examines blue calico cloth with Wu Yuanxin and Wu's daughter and son-in-law at the Nantong Blue Calico Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The camera crew of the documentary Han Meilin produced by China Media Group visited the Nantong Blue Calico Museum on April 18 to find materials.

Han Meilin, who is well-known as the chief designer of Fuwa, the good-luck mascots for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, is a renowned artist in China. The Han Meilin Art Foundation has supported the Nantong Blue Calico Museum for many years.

Han himself has also visited the museum many times to offer advice on the creation of blue calico products and offer assistance to Wu Yuanxin, a national-level inheritor of Nantong blue calico dying techniques.

With the help of Han, Nantong blue calico dying techniques were listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006. The 87-year-old also encouraged and supported Wu's daughter and son-in-law to learn and pass on the dying techniques.

By cooperation with Han, the Nantong Blue Calico Museum has used more aspects of traditional Chinese culture, such as the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, rock paintings, and paper cuttings, as subjects for blue calico products.

These products were also on display at Han's art exhibitions in France, Italy, and South Korea. They were also exhibited at the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum, and the National Art Museum of China, paving the way for the techniques' application for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The documentary includes six episodes to explore Han's artistic talent, including painting, sculpture, and design.