Exploring the history of the Mogao cave temple site—from its founding to abandonment, and its revitalization in the 20th century—“Cave Temples of Dunhuang” offers visitors the opportunity to experience the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Video Art, History, and Conservation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LbyuIi9BYI
The Dunhuang Academy is a comprehensive research institution responsible for the management and conservation of the world cultural heritage sites, including the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, the Bingling Temple Grottoes in Yongjing, the Yulin Grottoes in Guazhou, the Western Thousand Buddha Caves in Dunhuang, and the Beishan Grottoes in Qingyang. It is a research-oriented organization with its main office located at the Mogao Grottoes, 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang city, and a branch office in the Chengguan District of Lanzhou city.
It undertook a total of 14 national, provincial, and academy-level projects, and promoted the digitization of movable cultural relics in an orderly manner, photographing and scanning rubbings, Buddhist bronze statues, and more than 240 other items.
https://www.getty.edu/research/exhibitions_events/exhibitions/cave_temples_dunhuang/index.html
<aside> 👣 A great exhibition in “Gallery Exhibition”, “Replica Caves”,“Vitual Immersive Experience”, “Map & Visitor Guide” of the Getty Research Institute.
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In 2020, the Dunhuang Academy participated in 1 national key R&D program and 2 Gansu provincial cultural heritage risk assessment system construction and design demonstration application research projects. The academy completed 13 cultural relic protection projects for six of its grotto sites, restored nearly 400 square meters of various mural damages, and repaired over 70 colored statues. The academy successfully applied for 10 national key R&D programs, national key R&D projects, and National Natural Science Foundation projects, and also participated in research tasks for 3 national key R&D projects, with a total research fund amount of over 43 million yuan.
It promoted the formulation of 8 local standards, promoting the standardization development of the cultural relic industry. The academy completed the design of 22 digital muralization schemes, 5 digital three-dimensional reconstruction schemes for colored statues, and 24 preliminary exploration projects for grottoes, covering different types of cultural relics other than grotto temples, such as major archaeological sites, the Great Wall, and ancient buildings.
Patent Achievements Classification List 2018-2022
Dunhuang Art Journal
Mural Conservation
Mural Conservation is a task related to cultural heritage preservation, aimed primarily at preserving and maintaining the original appearance of ancient murals and preventing their erosion and destruction due to natural, human and time-related factors. Mural conservation methods include non-invasive protection, physical protection, and chemical protection, among others, which depend on factors such as the material, state, and site environment of the murals. The purpose of mural conservation is to use scientific methods to carry forward and inherit the essence of ancient culture, in order to protect the inheritance and development of human civilization.
Conservation and Restoration
Conservation and Restoration refers to the work of preserving and restoring cultural heritage, including historic buildings, artifacts, and artworks, to prevent them from decay and damage caused by natural factors, human factors, and time. The methods of conservation and restoration vary depending on the materials, condition, and environment of the object being treated, and can include non-invasive, physical, and chemical interventions. The aim of conservation and restoration is to use scientific methods to extend and preserve the essence of ancient culture, protecting the inheritance and development of human civilization.
Conservation of Grotto Temples
The conservation of grotto temples refers to the work of protecting and preserving these ancient structures, which are typically carved out of rock and decorated with sculptures, murals, and other forms of artwork. Grotto temples are important cultural heritage sites, and conservation efforts aim to prevent their deterioration due to natural factors, human activities, and the passage of time. Conservation methods may include both non-invasive and physical techniques, as well as chemical treatments, depending on the specific materials, condition, and environmental factors of each grotto temple. The goal of conservation is to use scientific methods to continue and transmit the essence of ancient cultures, in order to protect the inheritance and development of human civilization.
Digitization of cultural relics
Digitization of cultural relics refers to the process of creating digital records of cultural artifacts, including images, videos, and 3D models. This process is important for preserving and sharing cultural heritage, as it allows for easy access and sharing of valuable artifacts with a global audience.
Digitization of cultural relics involves a range of techniques, including high-resolution photography, 3D scanning, and photogrammetry. These techniques are used to create accurate and detailed digital replicas of cultural artifacts, which can be stored and shared online, and even used for virtual reality experiences.
Digitization of cultural relics has a number of benefits, including increasing public access to important cultural heritage, preserving fragile or at-risk artifacts, and enabling research and education. It also allows for the creation of virtual exhibitions and educational resources, which can be accessed by people around the world.
The protection materials and techniques
The protection materials and techniques refer to various materials and methods used in the process of cultural relics protection, restoration and conservation. Common protection materials include moisture-proof agents, fungicides, stabilizers, etc., which can prevent cultural relics from being damaged by natural factors such as moisture, mold, and corrosion. The techniques used in cultural relics protection include non-invasive, physical and chemical methods, such as optical microscopes, infrared photography, laser cleaning, etc. These techniques can be selected according to the material, damage status, site environment, and other factors of the cultural relics to achieve the best protection, restoration, and conservation results. The application of protection materials and techniques helps to extend the life of cultural relics, protect historical heritage, and maintain the inheritance and development of human culture.
