The University of Hong Kong Libraries |Chamber of Young Snow and The University of Hong Kong Libraries Present 'Fantasy Dunhuang: Reviving the Grand Beauty of Dunhuang' Exhibition with Over 100 Mural Exhibits Recreated 1:1 from Dunhuang Grottoes

Description

For the first time, Chamber of Young Snow is collaborating with The University of Hong Kong Libraries to present a three-month exhibition titled 'Fantasy Dunhuang: Reviving the Grand Beauty of Dunhuang'. The exhibition will be held at the HKU Libraries from 7 June to 7 September and is open to the public free of charge. This event marks the first time in 12 years that the Dunhuang Research Academy has collaborated with a higher education institution and a private organization in Hong Kong for an exhibition.

The exhibition features over 100 pieces of Dunhuang artwork, some of which are protected cultural relics. It also presents a 1:1 high-fidelity recreation of the interior and exterior of Cave 45 of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, covering an area of about 25 square meters and standing nearly 5 meters tall.

All four walls of the cave feature Tang Dynasty murals, and the ceiling replicates the original cave's inclined visual effect. The exhibition includes seven distinctive colored sculptures, recreating the scene of the existing Buddha statue in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes seated in lotus position on a Sumeru throne, surrounded by disciples, Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings, and other attendees. The Bodhisattva statue is unique, with a female torso as its prototype, an 'S'-shaped curve, a delicate body, an upturned mouth, and expressive eyes. In contrast, the Heavenly King statue exudes strength and power, showcasing its formidable and robust nature.

The exhibition area is divided into six themes: 'First Unit: Silken Threads', 'Second Unit: Wall Paintings', 'Third Unit: Majestic Buddhist Palace', 'Fourth Unit: Myriad Human Realms', 'Fifth Unit: Treasure Trove of the Stone Chambers', and 'Sixth Unit: Wandering in Pure Land'

The third-floor exhibition area immerses visitors in the Dunhuang Buddhist art style through digital art. In addition to displaying various Dunhuang murals, there is also an animation area with a large screen that brings the static mural content to life, allowing the painted figures to dance before the viewers. The exhibits also include several glowing hanging paintings showcasing the Dunhuang art style, with cushions below for visitors to lie down and appreciate the intricate patterns and details of the murals.

The exhibition is a highlight of the 'HKU Libraries Chamber of Young Snow Cultural Festival', which also includes five public lectures, two cultural performances, and eight workshops, with all 16 events fully booked.

The Cultural Festival opened on 7 June with a ceremony attended by government officials and scholars, including Professor Ho Lap Yan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) and Acting Provost of HKU; Miss Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Ms. Wang Huihui, Deputy Director of the Exhibition Center and Research Fellow of the Dunhuang Research Institute; Dr. Sun Hanming, Founder of Chamber of Young Snow; Ms. Woo Lai-chu, Chief Information Officer and University Librarian of HKU, and more. In her speech, Ms. Woo expressed gratitude for Chamber of Young Snow's strong support, which allowed the exhibition to exceed its original scale by tenfold. She said, 'The professionalism and attitude displayed by Chamber of Young Snow during the preparation process were key to the smooth holding of the event.' The former director of the Dunhuang Research Institute and Director of the Academic Committee, Zhao Shengliang, attended the opening ceremony and subsequently delivered an academic lecture.

The Dunhuang Research Institute, under the Gansu Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, is the world's leading authority on Dunhuang studies and China's cultural relics administration institution with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites and the widest cross-regional coverage. It is a National First-Grade Museum and holds a significant position in the field of international cultural heritage protection.

With its unprecedented exhibition content, rich exhibition design, and innovative digital art presentation, the Cultural Festival has attracted scholars and citizens from both Chinese and Western backgrounds and received widespread acclaim from the cultural sector. The series of high-caliber cultural events showcase the depth of interpretation and promotional efforts put into Dunhuang art, reflecting the organizers' dedication and commitment to building a bridge between academia and the general public.

Spanning three months and the entire summer vacation, the Cultural Festival is expected to be one of the highlights of Hong Kong's cultural scene and a popular tourist destination this summer.