Experience required

Disu Dang

As part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club's 140th anniversary, a digital exhibition in Tai Kwun lets visitors experience the wonders of the Forbidden City.

Flash! The Palace Museum - A Pop-Up Digital Experience, uses cutting-edge technology to bring the museum's treasures to life. Supported by HKJC and exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy, the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to digitally dive into ancient Chinese culture.

"Being one of the key activities of the Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong, a collaborative initiative between the club, the IoP, and the Palace Museum, the exhibition vividly introduces the architecture and artifacts of the former palace through interactive multimedia technology," said Lester Huang, club steward and IoP chairman.

The museum's deputy director Zhu Hongwen said the pop-up, in conjunction with the Palace Museum's centennial celebration, is the first of its kind in Hong Kong to showcase the museum's architecture and artifacts using modern technology. She noted that it gives the public and tourists an opportunity to experience the palace's culture up close while promoting cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland.

A major highlight of the exhibition is the digital revitalization of A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, the sole surviving masterpiece by Wang Ximeng, a prodigious artist of the Northern Song dynasty.

The monumental painting, over 10 meters long, captures China's vast and varied landscapes. Using vibrant mineral pigments such as azurite and malachite, Wang portrayed undulating mountains, flowing rivers, peaceful villages and lush forests with meticulous detail and vivid coloration.

At Tai Kwun, the painting is transformed into an immersive digital experience where visitors can step into a vivid, flowing landscape while traditional symbols of good fortune come to life as light and shadow.

Visitors are also invited to enter the world of the imperial court, learn about court dining traditions and prepare delicacies via interactive activities. A mobile app enables visitors to explore ancient textile and embroidery techniques and delve deeper into the history and artistry of the royal household.

Another highlight is Four Seasons at The Palace Museum, a digital display showcasing the Gate of Imperial Supremacy from winter through fall. Impression of the Corner Tower reveals the intricate construction and artistry of the Forbidden City's iconic Corner Towers with virtual reality. Treasured Collections uses interactive digital cabinets to present artifacts from the museum's storied collection.

The exhibition is part of a broader initiative between HKJC and IoP under a memorandum of cooperation signed in May last year. Backed by IoP's HK$440 million donation, the partnership supports such projects as the restoration and transformation of Chengqiangong, one of the six Eastern Courts of the Forbidden City, into "The Palace Museum Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Hub," alongside other exhibitions and talent capacity building programs.

The pop-up will be at F Hall Studio, Tai Kwun until January 31.