New Dunhuang show disappoints and confuses

Included in the exhibition are 12 works by Chang Da-chien (張大千), who was deeply influenced by the murals of Dunhuang and painted many "restored" versions. These works have a sensuality that is entirely lacking from the "objective" copies presented in the rest of the exhibition, but whether this is the result of Chang's artistic license and the greater fidelity of the academic copyists is a question that the exhibition entirely fails to address.

It would be nice to say that the exhibition, despite its faults, is not without merit. Given the interest of the subject, it is really impossible not to learn something from the show, if one can put up with the frustration and irritation caused by the slapdash and thoughtless presentation. For the most part, a good book about Dunhuang would provide greater satisfaction, or check the list of academic and general links at the International Dunhunag Project links page at idp.bl.uk/chapters/links/links.html.

Exhibition Notes:

What: From the Forgotten Deserts: Centuries of Dazzling Dunhuang Art

Where: The National Museum of History

When: until May 29

Tickets: NT$150