The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from the Yuanmingyuan and Important TreasuresCity University of Hong Kong, China Tourism Group Corporation Limited, China Poly Group Corporation Limited
The Indra and Harry Banga Gallery of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) proudly presents its latest exhibition "The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from the Yuanmingyuan and Important Treasures", from 4 July to 31 October, 2023.
Co-organised by City University of Hong Kong, China Tourism Group Corporation Limited [China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited], and China Poly Group Corporation Limited, this major national treasure exhibition, to be held in the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, of CityU, will showcase East–West cultural exchanges and art technology via an immersive experience.
The exhibition spotlights a set of highly valued national treasures, including four zodiac heads—tiger, pig, ox and monkey—from the Yuanmingyuan (The Old Summer Palace) of the Qing imperial court, which were lost for over a century, and other treasures dating back to Early China and the development of Chinese culture. The 12 bronze zodiac heads of the Haiyantang (Hall of Calm Seas) could spout water at certain times of the day.
The exhibition is divided into two phases. In Phase I (4 July to 31 August), four original zodiac heads will be displayed. In Phase II (5 September to 31 October), in collaboration with the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, the full set of 12 zodiac head sculptures will be displayed.
The Gallery will also collaborate with the Poly Art Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, The University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong, the Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, among others, to showcase other important treasures, like ancient Chinese bronzes. This section will introduce the functions of early bronze vessels and trace the long history of rituals and ceremonies in China.
Curated by Dr Libby Chan, Director of the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery of CityU, this exhibition offers an immersive experience, innovative art technology and other interactive experiences enabled by augmented reality, mixed reality and artificial intelligence technology, allowing the audience to embrace and better understand the historical, artistic and social context of these national treasures.
More Details: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/bg/exhibitions/zodiac-heads/home