Reconstruction of Dunhuang Mural Soundscapes
Reconstruct the musical landscape of the Tang Dynasty along the Silk Road using depictions of instruments and dance scenes from murals, alongside historical records. Develop an immersive audio guide system.
Project Background
The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang preserve numerous Tang Dynasty musical and dance scenes in their murals, though the original sounds are lost. This project reconstructs the musical landscape of the Tang Dynasty Silk Road by analyzing the instrument designs and playing postures depicted in the murals, combined with historical records.
Research Methods
Using iconographic analysis, instrument reconstruction, and digital audio technology, we first classify and study the instruments depicted in murals, then build replicas, and finally record authentic Tang Dynasty music in a professional studio.
Project Outcomes
- 1Restored 12 Tang Dynasty instruments
- 2Recover 1 music albums
- 3Develop an immersive audio guide system
- 4Applied in the permanent exhibition at the Dunhuang Academy