新疆 Museum Revives Cultural Treasures with Vibrant Display

Xinjiang Museum: Bringing Cultural Relics to Life

Urumqi, Xinjiang – A colorful, clay figurine with a mask, outstretched arms, and aslightly protruding belly has become the unexpected star of the Xinjiang Museum. This eye-catching artifact, known as the Masked Dancing Figure, has recently taken the internet bystorm. In the hands of online artists, it has been transformed into everything from a fraud prevention advocate to a weight loss guru, its versatility winning over countlessfans.

This playful engagement is part of a larger initiative by the Xinjiang Museum to breathe life into its collection. Since May, the museum has been launching a monthly online theme, inviting art enthusiasts and history buffs to create artwork inspired by specificartifacts. Outstanding submissions are not only publicly displayed but also transformed into creative products and gifted back to the artists. This interactive approach has encouraged younger generations to engage with cultural relics, giving them a new lease on life.

Making Historyand Artifacts Come Alive

In recent years, the Xinjiang Museum has been actively exploring ways to make its collection more accessible and engaging. There’s so much fun to be had in the museum, says Li Tianqi, a fifth-grader who considers himself a history enthusiast. He spends his vacations immersed in themuseum, often staying for hours on end.

The museum has implemented interactive elements alongside its exhibits. For example, visitors can touch and compare raw materials and finished stone tools near a diagram illustrating the process of stone tool making. In the textile exhibition, visitors can try their hand at ancient weaving tools, gaining a firsthandunderstanding of how people crafted clothing thousands of years ago. In the Silk Road exhibit, visitors can play an interactive game simulating a Sogdian merchant, answering questions and navigating the challenges of Silk Road trade.

Blending Physical and Digital Experiences

He Xiao, Deputy Director of the Xinjiang Museum’s Exhibition Department, explainsthat the museum has gone beyond simply refining text and selecting artifacts. They have integrated physical interaction with digital technology to create diverse and engaging experiences for visitors, enhancing accessibility, enjoyment, and overall engagement.

Xinjiang’s vast territory and dispersed immovable cultural relics make travel to these sites expensive and time-consuming. The Xinjiang Museumserves as a central hub for showcasing the region’s history and culture. Recognizing this, the museum has launched the Xinjiang Cultural Relics One-Stop Tour project, leveraging VR and AR technology to seamlessly integrate movable and immovable relics. This project provides immersive virtual tours of historical sites like the XiaoheTombs, Jiaohe Ancient City, and Gaochang Ancient City, allowing visitors from around the world to experience Xinjiang’s historical treasures without leaving the museum.

Reimagining Cultural Heritage

Tang Dynasty ladies step out of their display cases, while Kizil dancers emerge from murals. The Xinjiang Museum is actively reimagining its collection, bringing history to life through innovative and engaging methods. By embracing interactive elements, digital technology, and a playful approach, the museum is not only showcasing its treasures but also inspiring a new generation to appreciate and connect with their cultural heritage.

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