Dunhuang was located in the strategic passage of the ancient Silk Route bridging the Central Plains of China and the Western Serindia, and because of the important geographical position, it became an important place of convergence, collision, and a blending for ancient Chinese and Western cultures. Located in the Silk Route Dunhuang, Mogao Grottoes is at present the largest scale Buddhism cave temple in China, which is one of the oldest, perfectly preserved, richest in content, the most exquisite Buddhist art ruins. Dunhuang caves art has stretched for thousands of years, with a rich content and large numbers, its art forms not only inherited the art traditions of local Han and Jin dynasties, but also constantly accepted and blended the foreign art styles of India, Central Asia, West Asia, and so on, showcasing people exchanging history between the arts in China and Serindia, as well as the history of Buddhism art and the gradual process of sinicize. Therefore, grotto art in Dunhuang has an important significance in the study of the history of Chinese art and world art.

Due to the immovable feature of famous cultural heritage Dunhuang grottoes, more than 40 classic grotto works were selected to make the high fidelity replicas for “The Public Exhibition of Dunhuang Mural Treasure in University”, which was initially held at the Renmin University of China. Because the digital technology reproduces the complete appearance of the classic Dunhuang mural art with high fidelity replicas, we can showcase the true face of Dunhuang murals located thousands of miles away from the scene, allowing the students and teachers in art colleges to closely appreciate the works, study and copy ancient painting techniques at the scene, feeling the outstanding Chinese traditional cultural charm from the perspective of art.

Cultural heritage is the spiritual and cultural accumulation of a nation and ethnic group, and the foundation for the Chinese nation to continually grow. History and culture in Dunhuang is one of the representatives of the excellent national cultures. Protecting the cultural heritage, is not just to protect the historical memory, more importantly it is to keep watch over the cultural bloodline of Chinese national rejuvenation. Through this exhibition, we believe that students of the universities across the nation will be conscious of protecting the cultural heritage, together caring about Dunhuang and other cultural heritage items across the nation, paying attention to national rejuvenation and the inheritance of cultural roots while appreciating the splendid traditional Chinese cultures, and letting outstanding traditional Chinese cultures live on for generation after generation, always offering an inheritance.

About the exhibition

Curators: Zhang Weiwen, Huang Huasan

Organizers: China Dunhuang Grottoes Conversation Research Foundation, Dunhuang Academy China, the Art Museum of Yanjiao Campus of CAFA

Duration: November 22 - December 5, 2013

Venue: Art Museum of Yanjiao Campus of CAFA (No.18 Yanshun Road, Sanhe Yanjiao Development Zone, Hebei Province)

Note: “The Public Exhibition of Dunhuang Fresco Treasure in University” is accessible for free visit and copy. Please bring valid identity certificate for copying.

Translated by Chen Peihua and edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO.