Immersive Sanxingdui Art Exhibition Debuts in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area

Chongqing - An immersive light and shadow exhibition of Sanxingdui art, presented by BOE (Chongqing) Innovation Center, is on display in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area from July 6. 

Utilizing advanced digital technologies, including 3D light sculptures and interactive videos, the exhibition seamlessly merges traditional culture with cutting-edge technology to present a virtual rendition of the Sanxingdui ruins.

The exhibition showcases the Sanxingdui culture through multimedia forms. (Photo/Dai Yuan)

Sanxingdui, the largest ancient Shu kingdom site from the Shang Dynasty in the Yangtze River basin, was discovered in China's Sichuan in the 1920s when a farmer unearthed a large cache of jade relics while digging an irrigation ditch. The site has since been found to contain the ruins of an ancient city made up of residences, sacrificial pits, workshops, and tombs enclosed by high dirt walls. Spanning approximately 12 square kilometers and with a history exceeding 4,000 years, Sanxingdui is hailed as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

The exhibition showcases the archaeological discoveries, daily life, and culture of Sanxingdui through various forms, including displays of cultural relic replicas, digital multimedia interactions, and scene simulation restorations. It is divided into four chapters: "Rediscovering the Ancient Shu Kingdom," "Deity Worship," "Kingdom of Religious Beliefs," and "Dream of the Ancient Shu Kingdom," each inviting visitors to explore the world of the ancient Shu Kingdom.

A replica of the bronze human head with a gold mask is on display. (Photo/Dai Yuan)

The highlight of the exhibition is the fourth chapter, "Dream of the Ancient Shu Kingdom," which offers an immersive, interactive light and shadow art experience. This 30-minute sensory show narrates the soul, emergence, life, and sacrificial ceremonies of the ancient Shu, allowing visitors to discover Shu culture through artistic means.

Xie Hanxiao, a junior middle school graduate, expressed amazement at the history brought to life. "Though the exhibits are imitations, I feel transported to the true world of the ancient dynasty, which has sparked my interest in these relics," said Xie.

Zhanghui, who attended the exhibition with her elementary school-aged son, shared her enthusiasm. "I've always been curious about the mysterious Sanxingdui relics, and this exhibition has deepened my understanding of this culture," Zhang remarked.  

A citizen experiences the interactive light display, where the figure on the screen mimics the human's movements. (Photo/Song Danlei)

Sun Leilai, General Manager of BOE (Chongqing) Innovation Center, emphasized the exhibition's significance in revitalizing Chongqing's cultural market. "This fusion of modern technology with traditional cultural IP offers a key opportunity for technology enterprises to collaborate with local cultural and art enterprises," said Sun.  

"We are committed to driving the innovative development of Chinese traditional culture. Through this light and shadow exhibition, we hope to bring more people closer to the distinctive allure of Sanxingdui culture," said Qiu Zhenbang, Deputy General Manager of Chongqing Publishing Group, one of the local cooperative cultural enterprises.

The exhibition will run until January 5, 2025.