Bringing Dunhuang's murals to life

Artist and choreographer responsible for devising dance tradition based on Mogao's images are focus of touring exhibition, Chen Nan reports.

In a grand hall at Beijing's Chinese Traditional Culture Museum, a captivating scene unfolds as 93-year-old artist Chang Shana and 89-year-old choreographer Gao Jinrong walk into the room holding hands.

Their bond has been forged by their shared vision of breathing life into Dunhuang's ancient murals through dance, ensuring that their beauty and significance continue to captivate and inspire.

Home of the Mogao Caves — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was created between the 4th to the 14th centuries — Dunhuang is renowned for its Buddhist murals and statues, masterpieces that not only vividly illustrate the spread of Buddhism across China, but are also enduring symbols of Chinese civilization.

As Chang and Gao pored over images of the frescoes, their conversation flowed effortlessly, blending reverence for the past with excitement for their creative endeavor.

Their meeting was part of an ongoing exhibition on tour at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum, Everlasting Beauty of Dunhuang. The 400-odd exhibits include Chang's reproductions of the murals, and are a showcase of the lifetime achievements of the respectable scholar of the Dunhuang art.

During the meeting, young dancers from the Beijing Dance Academy and the Art Vocational College at the Lanzhou University of Arts and Science in Gansu province, performed pieces choreographed by Gao based on the murals, transforming their timeless beauty into a live dance experience.