The Dunhuang Heritage: Digital Preservations and Challenges

Discover the Buddhist caves of Dunhuang, a magnificent World Heritage site on the ancient Silk Road in northwest China. Here four major cultures – Greece and Rome, Persia and the Middle East, India, Central Asia and China – intersected for over 1,000 years, from the 4th to the 14th centuries. The historic, religious, and artistic importance of the site’s 492 decorated cave temples will be briefly explored, conveying the artistic beauty and profound Buddhist meaning of this site. Equally compelling is the significant preservation challenges which Dunhuang faces and how those challenges are being addressed through international partnerships. Learn about the important role that advanced technologies play in digital preservation and the challenges. The last session will invite you to join a joint discussion with three panelists, and to learn how we can participate the efforts of protecting a rare world heritage. Agenda: Lecture 1: The Buddhist Caves of Dunhuang: Treasure Trove in the Chinese Gobi Desert by Mimi Gardner Gates Lecture 2: The Dunhuang Heritage: Digital Preservations and Challenges by Xudong Wang Panel discussion: The Dunhuang Heritage: How can we help?  Panelists: Mimi Gardner Gates, Director Emerita, Seattle Art Museum Xudong Wang, Vice Director, Dunhuang Academy Hsiao-Wuen Hon, Managing Director, Microsoft Research Asia  Moderator: Lolan Song, Senior Director of Microsoft Research Connection, MSRA