Tang Empire on exhibit in Australia for first time (5)

SYDNEY, Apr. 11 (People’s Daily Online) -- The Art Gallery of New South Wales opened its new exhibition Tang: treasures from the Silk Road capital on April 9, 2016. This is the first exhibit in Australia to focus on the art of the Tang dynasty.

The exhibit shows the high artistic achievements and rich history of this golden age of China - Tang Empire. The capital city of Tang was Chang’an (now Xi’an), which was situated at the start of the famous Silk Road trade route. This cosmopolitan metropolis was renowned as a city of great wealth, cultural diversity and religious devotion.

The exhibition features 135 rare gold, silver, glass and ceramics artifacts, sculptures and mural paintings from the Tang Empire (618-907). Many of them are national treasures of China and some objects have never before been exhibited outside China. These archaeological findings are drawn from 11 museums and cultural institutions in Shaanxi Province, China.

The director of Art Gallery of New South Wales director, Michael Brand, says the Gallery is extremely privileged to host such an extensive range of precious Chinese treasures.

The Deputy Director-General of Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Guo Xianzeng, says they would like to present more 5000 thousands years of Chinese historical culture to Australian audiences.

Another highlights of the exhibition Tang is the Pure Land: inside the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang, a spectacular interactive installation of one of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mogao Grottoes.

It allows Australian audience to incorporate appropriate technologies into exhibitions to enhance the experience of visitors viewing art.

The exhibition will be at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until July 10.