DCAM Lecture｜Zhao Li: Exploring the Evolution of Exhibitions Between Tradition and Contemporary
On April 27, the lecture “In Tradition, Contemporary”, hosted by the Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum (DCAM), was successfully held at the Multi-functional Hall of Changyang Valley in Yangpu District, Shanghai.
Professor Zhao Li, Vice Dean of the School of Art Management and Education at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and a member of DCAM’s Academic Committee, guided the audience through a profound exploration of the dialectical relationship between traditional culture and contemporary art. Drawing from his extensive academic expertise and global perspective, Professor Zhao presented innovative global museum practices, offering fresh insights into revitalizing Dunhuang art within a contemporary framework.
Artistic Development: Tradition and Contemporary Are Inextricably Linked
At the outset, Professor Zhao cited the German philosopher Karl Jaspers: “Humans are historical beings. Cultural life is a cumulative historical bond passed down through generations: those who wish to collaborate within this bond must understand its evolution.” This underscored the intrinsic connection between humanity and cultural history, framing the lecture’s core theme—the interplay of tradition and contemporary art.
He emphasized: “Contemporary art cannot exist in a vacuum severed from tradition. To discard tradition would strip contemporary art of its roots.” Traditional culture, with its embedded national ethos, values, and virtues, serves as the lifeblood and soul of contemporary art. From form to intrinsic cultural DNA, contemporary art remains deeply intertwined with tradition. Simultaneously, contemporary art acts as both a continuation and innovation of tradition, infusing it with modern relevance and driving the creative transformation of civilization.
Global Perspectives: Diverse Practices in Museums
Professor Zhao illustrated his points with case studies from world-renowned museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York juxtaposed Andy Warhol’s pop art piece Marilyn Monroe with 19th-century American portraits, using stark visual contrasts to deconstruct the solemnity of traditional portraiture and provoke reflection on artistic evolution.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in the UK has prioritized contemporary design since its inception, establishing a “Rapid Response Collecting” initiative and hosting fashion shows and collaborative projects to propel contemporary art and design. Meanwhile, London’s Tate Modern ingeniously repurposed a disused power plant, exhibiting classical and modern works side by side to dismantle linear narratives and emphasize cross-era dialogues and conceptual collisions. These examples highlighted museums’ dynamic efforts to bridge tradition and contemporary art.
Innovative Exploration: Cross-Cultural and Technological Integration
Regarding cross-cultural and technological innovations, Professor Zhao highlighted the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, which opened its collection’s copyrights to inspire public creativity, sparking a wave of derivative works. The Art Institute of Chicago partnered with Airbnb to recreate Van Gogh’s bedroom for immersive guest experiences, merging art with daily life and boosting museum engagement. Additionally, the Digital Dunhuang Project leverages virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to transcend time and space, allowing audiences to experience Dunhuang art in unprecedented ways—a model for DCAM’s own digital initiatives.
Dunhuang’s Challenges and Opportunities: From “Place” to “Methodology”
During the Q&A session, Professor Zhao addressed DCAM’s unique positioning: “‘Dunhuang’ and ‘contemporary’ are not disjointed concepts but an integrated whole—requiring systemic thinking to translate Dunhuang’s visual DNA into the language of contemporary art.” He proposed boundary-breaking approaches, such as cross-media experiments (e.g., sandstorm-themed exhibitions) and audience co-creation (e.g., therapeutic workshops), to transform Dunhuang into a “living art space.”
Looking Ahead: The Essence of Art in the AI Era
On artificial intelligence’s impact, Professor Zhao remarked: “AI will replace repetitive labor, compelling artists to focus on the essence of humanity—emotion and creativity. Future Dunhuang art may involve human-machine collaboration to reimagine the ‘Feitian’ motif.”
Director Du Chenyan stated: “We envision Dunhuang as a laboratory to explore infinite possibilities for the symbiosis of tradition and contemporary art.”
Following the lecture, to advance academic frameworks and deepen research on “contemporary expressions of tradition,” DCAM formally appointed Professor Zhao Li as a member of its Academic Committee.
Since its establishment, DCAM has prioritized scholarly research to build a platform connecting past and present, East and West. Professor Zhao’s appointment marks a pivotal step in strengthening the museum’s academic foundation, enhancing research quality, and expanding public influence. Moving forward, DCAM will collaborate closely with Professor Zhao on exhibition curation, academic forums, and public education initiatives, jointly advancing the contemporary interpretation and global dissemination of Dunhuang culture.