Tang Dynasty murals showcased at multimedia CityU exhibition

Selected murals from “A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals – The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty”.

The Indra and Harry Banga Gallery at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is pleased to present “A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals – The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty” from now until 27 February 2022.

This multimedia exhibition recreates an ancient Tang Dynasty tomb in which 42 exquisite imperial paintings from more than 1,300 years ago are projected using new multimedia technology. It was very well received in Taiwan and Macau prior to coming to Hong Kong.

Officiating at the opening ceremony were (from left): Dr Isabelle Frank, Director of the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery; Mr Zhu Wen, Director-General, Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong SAR; Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Acting President of CityU; Dr Herman Hu Shao-ming, SBS, JP, Founding President of Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation; Counselor Wang Qi, Director, Department of International Organizations and Conferences, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR; Ms Eve Tam Mei-yee, Assistant Director (Heritage & Museums), Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

In his welcome remarks at the opening ceremony on 2 December, Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Acting President of CityU, said since the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery was established in 2016, its exhibitions have sought to promote cultural education by integrating the arts, science and technology and making connections between the arts in the East and West.

“The exhibition enables audiences to get a glimpse of the magnificent Tang Dynasty panorama through multimedia technology,” he said.

Dr Herman Hu Shao-ming, SBS, JP, Founding President of Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation, said, “Tang Dynasty was a golden age in Chinese history, with high achievements on culture, technology, politics, economy, and diplomacy. I wish that this exhibition can help Hong Kong people, especially the younger generation, to know more about the excellent traditional culture and history of China. They can thus appreciate the beauty of the Tang Dynasty and be interested in Chinese culture and history.”

Professor Lee delivers the welcoming speech.

Dr Hu wishes that the exhibition can inspire audiences’ interest in Chinese history and culture.

The three thematic animation zones – etiquette and ceremonies, hunting and leisure, and court life – offer a snapshot into unique aspects of life during the Tang Dynasty.

Through the painted scenes, visitors can discover the ceremonies and etiquette of the imperial court, the imperial family’s leisure and hunting activities, and the music and dance performances presented in the palace during the Tang Dynasty. These exhibits offer viewers insights into social trends of the time, the lifestyles of nobles, and aesthetic and cultural interactions between China and other countries.

The organisers of the exhibition are the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, National Cultural Heritage Administration, Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration and Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation, while the co-organisers are the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Association and the Shaanxi History Museum (Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre).

The Indra and Harry Banga Gallery aims to engage the community through innovative exhibitions that integrate art and technology in interdisciplinary initiatives and that promote cultural exchanges.

Exhibition details:
Date: 3 December 2021 – 27 February 2022 (Open daily, except Mondays)
Time: 10am – 7pm
Venue: Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, 18/F, Lau Ming Wai Academic Building
Admission: Free of charge, prior booking is required