An exhibition entitled “The Treasures of Prosperity – Murals of the Tang Dynasty” (盛世壁藏——唐代壁畫文化特展) hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (中國宋慶齡基金會), National Cultural Heritage Administration (國家文物局), and Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration (陝西省文物局), is being held at the private Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) until November 29.
The exhibition takes place in conjunction with the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Association (陝西省文物交流協會), Shaanxi History Museum Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre (陝西歷史博物館/陝西省文物交流中心) and Faculty of Humanities and Arts of MUST.
According to a statement on one of the exhibition boards, there are more than 100 graves in Xi’an (西安) that have ancient murals in them. With the support of Xi’an’s archaeologists and heritage conservators, the murals have been restored.
The exhibition features mural paintings from Chang’an during the Tang Dynasty presented in digital technology, videos, images and other mediums. It aims to present the Tang Dynasty residences’ life and interaction with others. There are four parts of the exhibition which comprises “Chang’an” (長安), “Fashion” (風尚), “Integration” (融匯), and “Reappearance” (重現), according to a MUST statement.
According to information from the exhibition boards, “Chang’an” in the Tang Dynasty refers to the present-day Xi’an. Chang’an was the core of politics, business, culture, and diplomacy. These murals show the lifestyle, fashion, art, sports and activities, political relationships with other ethnics, and cultural exchanges during the Tang Dynasty.
The exhibition’s “Fashion” segment demonstrates the healthy, dynamic lifestyles for both men and women in the Tang Dynasty which brought them confidence and bravery. The “Integration” segment shows that Tang Dynasty citizens were active learners. They learnt business trading and broadened their perspectives about religious culture through their contacts with travellers and therefore were able to improve their living standards. The “Reappearance” segment shows the process of renovation and management by archaeologists and heritage conservators to the murals. Hazardous environments as well as the loosened mix of soil and lime are the main cause of damage to the murals, the statement points out.
According to Li Qun (李群), deputy head of Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said in a speech during the inauguration on October 29 that the NCHA would continue to support collaboration between cultural institutions in the mainland and Macau to provide young people with diversified cultural exchange experiences.
Wang Jiarui (王家瑞), vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, in his speech encouraged students to take this exhibition as an opportunity to learn Chinese culture and broaden their horizons, adding that the Central People’s Government values the development of Hong Kong and Macau, launching measures to support their long-term development.
MUST is located in Avenida Wai Long in Taipa. The art gallery is on the 6th floor of the Academic Complex, block R (澳門科技大學R座綜合教學大樓). It opens daily including public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For enquiries, call 2888 1122 or visit https://www.must.edu.mo/news/41064-article10291726du.mo.
Visitors must wear a facemask, have their temperature checked and show their valid Health Code upon entry to the exhibition.
Photos: Camy Tam and Ula Cheang
