The VR exhibition The Flowing Dunhuang: The Realm of Thousand Colors opened at the Shanghai Library on July 5, offering a vivid new perspective on the art and legacy of Dunhuang.

Located along the ancient silk road, Dunhuang is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, particularly the Mogao Caves, which contain thousands of Buddhist murals and sculptures.

Utilizing extended reality technology, the exhibition brings Dunhuang murals to life, allowing interactions with historical figures through simple gestures.

High-resolution 8K displays reveal the striking textures of the Yardang landform, a dramatic geological formation shaped by wind erosion in arid landscapes. One highlight is a dynamic, three-dimensional rendering of the famed mural depicting the nine-colored deer Jataka from Cave 257.

This exhibition premiered at the Shenzhen Art Museum in December 2024 and quickly earned praise for its innovative presentation and visitor engagement. Since then, it has traveled to major cultural institutions including the Shaanxi Province Art Museum, Shandong Art Museum, and Osaka Culturarium in Japan.

At the Shanghai Library, the exhibition is complemented by six aesthetic installations inspired by the Dunhuang culture. These include sculptures of mythical beasts, 3D-printed Tang Dynasty (618-907) musical instruments, an immersive space adorned with botanical mural patterns, and replicas of Dunhuang caissons.

If you go

• Exhibition period: Until Sept 20
• Opening hours: 9 am – 8:30 pm (Last entry at 7:45 pm)
• Location: No 1555 Middle Huaihai Road

Tickets can be purchased by scanning the QR code on the poster below.

 

Sources: Shanghai Library, WeChat account of Shanghai Xuhui district news center at "xuhuifabu"