[2nd Expo Review] Dunhuang, Venice join hands for art exhibition
Dunhuang Academy, Venice University and the Dunhuang Culture Promotion Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding for the "Dunhuang in Venice" exhibition project on Sept 22, 2017, during the 2nd Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo.
According to the memorandum, the exhibition, tentatively titled "Sacred Art on the Silk Road: Buddhist Caves of Dunhuang," is scheduled to be held at Venice University from Feb 8 to Apr 8, 2018.
The exhibition aims to showcase the artistic mastery and spiritual diversity of the murals at Dunhuang's Mogao and Yulin Caves. It will provide Venetian audiences with a comprehensive view of the millennia-long evolution of Dunhuang's artistic heritage, emphasizing its role as a vibrant cultural hub along the Silk Road.
Additionally, the exhibition seeks to raise global awareness of the Dunhuang Academy's efforts in cultural heritage preservation. It is hoped that this initiative will inspire broader international support for the conservation, research, and promotion of the Dunhuang Grottoes, a testament to the enduring legacy of cultural exchange.
Tiziana Lippiello, vice rector of Venice University, thanked the Dunhuang Academy for the invitation and highlighted the university's extensive research into Chinese culture, including art, religion, philosophy, and history, which makes Dunhuang a familiar subject. She expressed optimism that the Dunhuang exhibition in Italy marks the start of fruitful collaboration and hoped for deeper ties with the Dunhuang Academy.
Venice deputy mayor Paola Mar emphasized the potential for meaningful exchange between Venice and Dunhuang despite their cultural differences. She credited Venice University for fostering dialogue and acknowledged Venice's historic role as a hub for cultural exchange. She expressed a commitment to continuing Venice's tradition of promoting global cultural dialogue through this partnership.