'Meet Dunhuang': Immersive exhibition brings Mogao Caves alive

APD NEWS

text

Immersive exhibition "Meet Dunhuang" opens at Huaxi Live Wukesong commercial compound in Beijing, July 23, 2021. /CFP

A digital exhibition is currently underway in Beijing that invites visitors to an immersive world of China's most celebrated Buddhist treasure trove in Dunhuang.

The world heritage site of the Mogao Grottoes, or Mogao Caves, is now taking on a new form with the help of cutting-edge technologies. Over 200 murals are displayed within the 1,500-square-meter space through 48 projectors, creating animated images that surround visitors in 360 degrees.

These murals are recreated by Chinese art masters – Chang Shana and Bao Ying. Chang, 90, is an honored scholar on Dunhuang studies and served as an art adviser for the exhibition. Her father Chang Shuhong was among the first dedicated to protecting the Mogao Caves and its culture.

More than 200 Dunhuang murals are presented at the exhibition "Meet Dunhuang" in Beijing. /CGTN

Murals showcased at the exhibition are redrawn by Chinese veteran artists Chang Shana and Bao Ying. /CFP

Digital images are created by 48 projectors at the exhibition site that covers an area of 1,500 square meters. /CFP

The Mogao Caves, located in northwest China's Gansu Province, is home to one of the world's largest collections of Buddhist art – over 2,000 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals that spans some 1,000 years from the fourth to the 14th century.

Meanwhile, its strategic location along the ancient Silk Road witnessed religious and cultural exchanges between the East and West. Hence, its historical and cultural value is highly regarded around the world.

Dancers from Gansu Province and Beijing perform during the exhibition to enrich visitors' experience. /CGTN

Visitors admire the immersive exhibition "Meet Dunhuang" in Beijing. /CFP

The digital show aims to bring the ancient Dunhuang culture closer to the younger generation. The blend of art and modern technology has become an inevitable trend, according to Chang. And the digital show is a new experiment to share the beauty of Dunhuang and its culture with the public, the artist said.

In addition, traditional Chinese music and dance performances are incorporated into the show to add to the overall audiovisual experience.

The exhibition runs for three months until October 18.