The special exhibition Affinity of Mountains and Seas · Echoes of the Desert Sands - Meet Dunhuang in Liaoning was unveiled on May 18 at the Liaoning Provincial Museum. Jointly organized by the Liaoning Provincial Museum and the Dunhuang Academy, the exhibition aims to promote Dunhuang culture, highlight the academic spirit it embodies and carry forward the legacy of the Mogao Caves. It also seeks to support the systemic preservation and study of scattered Dunhuang manuscripts, carry on its cultural tradition and foster a Chinese ethos..
Showcasing more than 260 pieces/sets of artifacts, the exhibition offers a rich and diverse presentation. Among them are over 110 rare Dunhuang documents, cultural relics and manuscripts from collections across Liaoning Province—more than 90% of which are making their public debut. The display is further enriched by numerous representative pieces on loan from the Dunhuang Academy, many of which are classified as national Grade I cultural relics, as well as replica murals by renowned artists such as Wang Ziyun, Dong Xiwen, Chang Shuhong, Li Yu, Duan Wenjie and Chang Shana.
A major highlight of the exhibition is the inclusion of full-scale, life-size replicas of four iconic Mogao Caves. Visitors can also view replicated murals from the south and north walls of Mogao Cave 220, which was featured on the CCTV program National Treasure. Additionally, the exhibition presents achievements from the Digital Reconstruction Project of Overseas Dunhuang Cultural Heritage.
Since 2019, with the support of the Liaoning Provincial Social Science Planning Fund and research initiatives from the Liaoning Public Cultural Service Center, the Liaoning Provincial Museum has undertaken systematic sorting and in-depth research of its Dunhuang collection. This exhibition is a major outcome of that work, showcasing the progress and achievements in preserving and researching this invaluable cultural heritage.
The exhibition is open until August 18.
Source: Liaoning Provincial Museum