Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road

Presented in collaboration with the Dunhuang Academy, the exhibition at ACM encompasses life-size reproductions of key Mogao Caves. Cave 158, the largest reproduction located in the Level 2 Foyer, showcases the Tang dynasty's largest reclining Buddha. Other reproductions include Cave 249, depicting Buddhist and Chinese mythology, Cave 45 with a Tang dynasty sculptural ensemble, and Cave 3, known for its fluid wall paintings. These caves, originally part of a vast complex of Buddhist temples in Dunhuang, a significant Silk Road crossroads, were created between the fourth and 14th centuries.

Beyond the cave reproductions, the exhibition is organized into three themes: City, Devotion, and People, exploring Dunhuang's role as a trade center, the religious life at Mogao Caves, and the communities that supported them. On display are various artifacts, such as a Tang dynasty travel pass, a Sassanid Iran coin, and artists' tools for sculpture construction, the latter being shown outside Dunhuang for the first time.

The exhibition integrates interactive elements, including an original soundscape by composer Sulwyn Lok, inspired by Dunhuang's musical cultures. Visitors can engage with a digital trail using RFID-enabled paintbrushes to collect colors and create digital art. An extended stamp rally across ACM, Bank of China, and The Fullerton Hotel offers blind-box apsara figurines. Additionally, a six-meter inflatable apsara installation serves as a photo opportunity on ACM Green.