Dunhuang Murals in Contemporary China (9 November 2023)

A Talk by Rémy Jarry

From the Sui dynasty (581–618 AD), Dunhuang played an essential role as a gate of the Chinese empire thanks to its geo-strategic location on the Silk Road and its artistic excellence in Buddhist cave murals. Yet, Dunhuang progressively fell into oblivion from the Ming (1368–1644 AD) to the Qing (1644-1911 AD) dynasties. It was only during the first half of the 20th century that Dunhuang’s legacy was rediscovered by foreign explorers– Aurel Stein and Paul Peliot, among others–, and Chinese artists–Chang Dai-chien and Chang Shuhong, in particular–. The inscription of the Mogao Caves on the list of UNESCO World Heritage in 1987 by the People’s Republic of China has further enhanced Dunhuang’s visibility domestically and internationally. The historical site has been transformed into a well-known destination for both tourists and scholars. Meanwhile, Dunhuang has been integrated into China’s soft power strategy through the development of international institutions and infrastructures, educational programmes, performances and exhibitions, as well as intensifying media exposure and digital access. Thus, Dunhuang’s murals have been celebrated as a national treasure while becoming a primal source of inspiration for artists, designers, and creative industries.

From cultural diplomacy and tourism to visual arts and social media, this lecture aims at deciphering the status of Dunhuang in contemporary China and assessing the sustainability of such a “renaissance”.

Rémy Jarry (賀一凡) is a Senior Lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, as well as an Adjunct Professor at the Catholic University of Paris, and Shih Chien University, Taipei (實踐大學). He is also a writer, curator, and member of AICA, CIMAM, and ICOM. His main research interests are related to Asian arts and cultural heritage. Fluent in English, French, and Chinese, Rémy holds a PhD in Art History & Theory from the China Academy of Art (中國美術學院) focusing on traditional funerary culture in Chinese contemporary art. He also holds an MBA along with two MAs in Art History, and Journalism, from Sorbonne University, Paris.

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Disclaimer
The Siam Society is diffusing this lecture for academic, educational and scholarly research purposes only. At no times does The Siam Society take responsibility for any ideas and opinions presented by the lecturer or persons making comments or asking questions.

The Siam Society is deeply grateful to the James H.W. Thompson Foundation for its generous support of the Lecture Series