Opening Ceremony

September 3, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Program:

3:00 – 5:00 PM | Preview of the Dunhuang Art Exhibition at CAMLab Cave

5:00 – 5:20 PM | Opening Remarks by Professor Eugene Wang

5:20 – 6:00 PM | Keynote Speech by Dr. Boming SU, Director of the Dunhuang Academy

8:00 – 9:00 PM | Concert in the HAA Auditorium

Abstract:

The Buddhist cave shrines in Dunhuang, China offer a glimpse into a universe that rests beyond our known physical reality. The caves house innumerable exemplary works of Buddhist artmaking, but they are not just ancient spaces of worship; they are also entry points into Buddhist cosmology, artistic creativity, and the human mind. Much like the shadowy illusions of Plato’s Cave, the painted murals and statues within these caves reveal higher truths about life, death, and spiritual transcendence.

Harvard FAS CAMLab, in partnership with the Dunhuang Academy, invites you to explore selected highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site during the Harvard Dunhuang Culture Week. Through cutting-edge digital technology and immersive exhibition design, this series of events brings the awe-inspiring art of Dunhuang to life in a modern academic setting. Featuring a combination of installations, public lectures, and interactive workshops, the festival marks a new era of collaboration and exchange, connecting students, scholars, and the public to the profound legacy of the Dunhuang caves.

The Culture Week will demonstrate what can be achieved when academic research and technological innovation converge, breathing new life into Dunhuang’s sacred art and emphasizing its place in global cultural heritage.

Concert: Resonance of the Silk Road

Sep 3 Tuesday 8:00 – 9:00 PM

Program:

1. Decoding the Dunhuang Dance Manuscript 
2. Music of the High Tang
3. Dance of Kucha 
4. Echoes of Persia 
5. Oasis in the Desert 
6. New Voices of Dunhuang

Abstract:

Embark on a mesmerizing journey along the Silk Roads with “Resonance of the Silk Road.” This concert seamlessly weaves together ancient traditions, contemporary compositions, and interactive digital art to create a multi-sensory experience inspired by the art and culture of Dunhuang.

Each section of the program draws on the rich musical heritage of the Silks Roads, evoking the vibrancy and diversity of the cultures and people that still converge along these historic trade routes. From the complex dance notations discovered in the Dunhuang Library Cave to the melodies of Kucha, the evening’s performances return us to a time when storytelling, art, and music connected cultures across borders.

We invite you to explore the dynamic cultural intersections that once flourished along the Silk Road through this unique fusion of traditional music, digital imagery, and cutting-edge technology.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.