Nanjing revives grotto art
Nanjing’s 'Dialogue and Digital Reconstruction of Grotto Art' project is digitally reviving millennia‑old grotto works — a blended conservation + tech exhibit that reanimates fragile carvings for visitors ( ). For history travelers, it’s a rare chance to see reconstructed imagery that would otherwise be closed to the public (x.com).
The show is titled “胡汉融合·数字重光：从建康到洛阳的石窟艺术对话与数字化重生” — translated as “Hu‑Han Fusion · Digital Re‑illumination: From Jiankang to Luoyang — A Dialogue of Grotto Art and Digital Rebirth” and it opened on March 15, 2026 in Nanjing’s Qixia (栖霞) ancient‑town exhibition space. (news.qq.com) Organisers include the Longmen Grottoes Research Institute working with the Qixia Mountain (栖霞山) Grotto Research Institute, with the latter acting under authorization from the Nanjing municipal museum authorities for on‑site collections work. (news.qq.com) The technical program publicised for the exhibition combines high‑precision 3D laser scanning, AI‑driven virtual restoration and color‑detection analysis to reconstruct missing or faded features. (news.qq.com) Organisers say the digital work specifically simulates the Fengxian Temple “无量寿大佛” and parts of the “万佛洞” ensemble, using historic photos and material analysis to virtually reassemble separated or eroded sculptural fragments. (news.qq.com) The Qixia team carried out high‑resolution 3D scans and produced four 3D‑printed stone replicas from authorised holdings as part of the exhibit’s archival and display program. (sohu.com) Live programming at the launch included an original immersive stage piece called “双窟一梦” and a lecture by Nanjing University history professor and Qixia research institute director He Yun’ao on Six Dynasties Buddhist archaeology. (news.qq.com) The exhibition is scheduled to run through August 13, 2026 at the stone‑grotto exhibition hall in Qixia Ancient Town, with admission offered to visitors holding the same‑day Qixia Mountain scenic‑area ticket. (news.qq.com)
