Ancient grottoes are an inexhaustible source of knowledge, offering researchers across disciplines a wealth of material to explore. Bringing together sculpture, murals, calligraphy and architecture, they provide a rich record of artistic and cultural exchange.
The Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Datong, Shanxi province, are a case in point. A testament to the extensive exchanges along the Silk Road, the grottoes feature lifelike statues and vivid murals, largely carved during the fifth and sixth centuries. They represent one of the finest achievements of Buddhist art in China.
An ongoing exhibition at Tianjin University, however, shifts the focus to the architectural structures within the caves. Supported by the China National Arts Fund, the touring exhibition, titled Rong (Fusion): Campus Tour of Yungang Art brings the artistic richness and diversity of Yungang to university campuses, presenting the grottoes as an enduring source of academic inquiry. Launched in July, it has previously been held at the University of Science and Technology Beijing and Wanlin Art Museum at Wuhan University in Hubei province, before arriving in Tianjin.
Running until Nov 15, the exhibition explores Yungang's artistic achievements and cultural integration through the lens of architectural and engineering history. It features 3D replicas of statues and architectural components, alongside historical documents and photographs. Visitors can also enjoy an immersive experience using augmented reality headsets and try their hand at making rubbings of carved patterns.
The exhibition is being held at Kaogong Tang, the former site of one of China's earliest hydraulic engineering laboratories. Temporary scaffolding has been erected within the space, creating an evocative setting for a dialogue between architectural heritage and the distinctive environment shaped by the grottoes' stone carvings.
A recent forum held at the venue brought together scholars specializing in archaeology, architectural history and heritage conservation. Their discussions explored interdisciplinary approaches to conserving and presenting heritage sites, highlighting the importance of academic collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Hang Kan, director of the Yungang Research Institute and a professor at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology, says the campus tour brings the wisdom embodied in grottoes to the universities while drawing on academic expertise to advance research on Yungang.
Ding Yao, a professor at Tianjin University and curator of the exhibition's Tianjin leg, says the collaboration with the Yungang Research Institute also reflects a shared social responsibility to carry forward China's cultural lineage.
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