The National Speed Skating Oval transformed into a breathtaking digital grotto as China National Theatre debuted its groundbreaking musical drama The Calling·Dunhuang. The production redefines theatrical experience with 15-meter-high digital projections of Mogao Cave bodhisattvas, aerial silk performers recreating flying apsaras, and a mesmerizing blend of live performance with generative AI – creating an unprecedented dialogue across centuries of artistic heritage.
The drama opens with a profound question resonating through Dunhuang’s history: “What does 99% passion and 1% persistence mean for one’s life?” Through the story of conservation pioneer Chang Shuhong – who vowed to “fight for Dunhuang till the end” – the production explores the cultural convictions behind such devotion. A recurring aria echoes this theme: “Only when we finally recognize those centuries-honored sacred arts do we understand them as the most tenacious form of aesthetic perseverance.”
Technological Alchemy: When Ancient Murals Meet AI
The stage becomes a time machine through ingenious multimedia integration. The iconic 254th Cave’s Mahasattva Jataka mural comes alive through ensemble dance interacting with AI-generated imagery, while the 35.5-meter “Great Northern Statue” of Buddha dominates as a key visual element. The “Ice Ribbon” stadium itself morphs into an immersive Dunhuang art space, proving how traditional aesthetics can thrive in contemporary venues.
“Calling” serves as the production’s conceptual core – reflecting both young performers’ dedication to traditional culture and the market potential of cultural IP revitalization. As digital bodhisattvas gaze upon modern audiences and wire-suspended apsaras descend from virtual murals, the production demonstrates how ancient art can organically integrate into contemporary life through technological innovation.
Reimagining Cultural Legacy for New Generations
This avant-garde production represents a paradigm shift in heritage interpretation. By employing real-time projection mapping that responds to performers’ movements and AI algorithms that extend mural fragments into dynamic backgrounds, the creative team has developed a new vocabulary for traditional culture’s digital transformation.
“We’re not just recreating Dunhuang art – we’re reanimating its creative spirit for the 21st century,” said the director during post-show discussions. With plans for international touring, The Calling·Dunhuang positions itself as China’s latest cultural ambassador, proving that ancient aesthetics can find vibrant new life through technological imagination.
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