The magic of the Mogao Grottoes, nestled in the remote Dunhuang region of northwest China, has been transported to Shenzhen in an exhibition titled "Dunhuang Aesthetics and Its Connection to the World." The large-scale digital art charity exhibition opened its doors at the Shenzhen Contemporary Art and Urban Planning Exhibition on September 23rd, offering a free glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Silk Road.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
The exhibition opened to the public on September 24th, also provides complimentary guided tours, allowing visitors to delve into the depths of Dunhuang's artistic treasures. At its heart lie four digitally replicated caves (Cave 428, Cave 285, Cave 3, and the Sutra Repository), which have been faithfully recreated using 1:1 scale technology, offering an immersive experience to the audience.
Showcasing over 40 high-fidelity digital reproductions of mural paintings, five replicated colored sculptures, and replicas of artifacts excavated from the Sutra Repository, the exhibition offers a multi-faceted exploration of Dunhuang's artistry. Among the highlights are the Western Wei Dynasty's Cave 285, hailed as a "pantheon of multicultural fusion," and the Yuan Dynasty's Cave 3, renowned for its meticulous depiction of the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva. These caves, typically closed to the public in Dunhuang, can now be shown in Shenzhen.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Moreover, the exhibition leverages digital technology to recreate iconic Dunhuang artworks such as the Water Moon Guanyin from the Xixia Dynasty, the sole Thousand-Armed Guanyin in Chinese mural history, and historical narratives like Zhang Qian's journey to the Western Regions and the Deer King Sutra illustrations. These reimagined masterpieces transport viewers through a trans-temporal cultural odyssey, immersing them in a millennium of exquisite beauty.
"We hope that through this exhibition, more people will appreciate the profoundness of Dunhuang's cultural and artistic heritage and sense the grandeur of human civilization's exchange and mutual recognition," expressed Yang Xiuqing, Chairman of the China Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation and Research Foundation. Wang Hai, Director of the Dunhuang Chinese Heritage Inheritance Special Fund Management Committee, added that the exhibition has successfully "relocated" the Mogao Grottoes from the distant Mingsha Mountains of Dunhuang to Shenzhen, faithfully reproducing the essence of Dunhuang art.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Exhibition information:
Admission: Free and open to the public
Venue: Center Gallery, Shenzhen Contemporary Art and Urban Planning Exhibition (3rd Floor)
Dates: From September 24th to November 22nd, 2024
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00 (Last entry at 17:30; closed on Mondays, with special arrangements for holidays)
Author | Alice
Editor | Will, James
