position: EnglishChannel  > Oriental Wisdom> Time Travel Through Technology

Time Travel Through Technology

Source: Science and Technology Daily | 2024-11-19 11:36:42 | Author: LONG Yun & ZHONG Jianli

On November 17, iconic Southern Tang (937–975) Dynasty painter Gu Hongzhong and his masterpiece the Night Revels of Han Xizai, a massive scroll-painting over 300 cm long detailing in five progressive sections a banquet thrown by a minister with music and dancing,came alive in Beijing through the wonders of modern technology.

Housed in the Palace Museum, the Night Revels of Han Xizai unfolds like a cinematic masterpiece. With vivid images of pipa performances, drums being played, elegant dances and melodious flutes, the painting serves as a portal to China’s ancient ceremonial and musical culture.

Thanks to a collaboration between artists like Ju Yao, a postdoctoral scholar from Tsinghua University’s Academy of Arts and Design, and her mentor Lu Xiaobo, the painting was animated with VR and AI. From costumes to the etiquette of the banquet, every detail was researched to mirror the reality of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Using AI, an interactive avatar of Gu Hongzhong was created for visitors to “meet” the artist himself. In this immersive experience, audiences could ask questions about the painting, dive into the stories behind the characters, and explore the objects and rituals depicted.

Zhou Bing, vice-president of Intel corporate affairs , said technology can now be seamlessly integrated into art, creating experiences previously unimaginable. “Science and technology empower art,” Zhou said, adding that they were closely intertwined with art even in ancient times.  

One of the ceremony’s highlights was a live interaction between Lu Xiaobo and the AI avatar of Gu Hongzhong. It wasn’t just a game but a bridge between the past and the present, a dialogue between artists spanning over a millennium. As Xu Li, former secretary-general of the China Artists Association, said, “Art exhibitions like this help us understand the continuity of Chinese civilization, from its ancient origins to its modern transformations and its vision for the future.”

The project included cutting-edge recreations of costumes, utensils, and even the characters’ movements, deepening understanding of the painting's historical setting. Such efforts show the potential of digital technologies to shape the future of museum exhibitions, making them more engaging, educational, and inclusive.

As Ju explained, the project exemplifies how science and art can work together to inspire future generations. “By creating interactive and intelligent experiences, we preserve history and ensure that it resonates with modern audiences in a deeply personal way,” she said.

Editor:龙云

Top News

  • ?The Second China-Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) States Roundtable on Human Rights, held in S?o Paulo, Brazil, on July 25, gathered more than 130 guests from China and LAC countries to discuss human rights protection in the digital and intelligent age, environment, climate and human rights, and China-LAC states' contributions to global human rights governance.

CISCE Champions Shared Benefits of Supply Chain

The third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) was held from July 16 to 20 in Beijing, demonstrating the country's ongoing striving for high-standard opening up.

Jiangxi: A Province Brimming with Vitality

From cultural heritage to technological innovation and industrial transformation, ancient pavilions have been revitalized, traditional prescriptions have been modernized, and agricultural yields have soared... Across Jiangxi province in east China, innovation is thriving at every turn.

抱歉,您使用的浏览器版本过低或开启了浏览器兼容模式,这会影响您正常浏览本网页

您可以进行以下操作:

1.将浏览器切换回极速模式

2.点击下面图标升级或更换您的浏览器

3.暂不升级,继续浏览

继续浏览