‘The Way in Patterns’

“The Way in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition by the Palace Museum and Tencent T-Museum” is a dazzling exhibition featuring VR and AR renderings of beautiful patterns on relics and artworks from the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Studio of Exhaustion From Diligent Service (Juanqinzhai, 倦勤斋) in the palace, and other spots within the imperial compound.

At the Shenzhen exhibition, visitors may appreciate 3D images of imperial treasures shown on a 5.3-meter-tall screen.

Juanqinzhai is considered the most exquisite room in the Forbidden City. It used to be a study and leisure room for Emperor Qianlong as well as later emperors in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Paintings covering the ceiling and walls of the room of the Chinese landscape and subjects are infused with Western techniques of perspective and trompe l’oeil which were introduced by Italian court painter Giuseppe Castiglione.

Following the success of the applet “Exploring the Cabinet of Curiosities,” which showcases patterns found on artworks in the Palace Museum collection, the Palace Museum has once again joined with Tencent to produce this exhibition with an immersive digital experience and 3D renderings that lead visitors on an exploration of the beauty of traditional Chinese art.

Dates: Until Feb. 12

Tickets: Free

Booking: WeChat miniprogram “数字故宫”

Venue: Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Nanshan District (南山区海上世界文化艺术中心)

Metro: Line 2 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A

‘Reading the Forbidden City’

Organized by the Palace Museum Publishing House, “Reading the Forbidden City” takes the Chinese New Year in the imperial palace as the theme and interprets it in various media such as paintings, installations and multimedia. Forbidden City-themed cultural and creative products are also on sale.

Visitors will not only see spring-themed paintings by court painter Xu Yang based on Emperor Qianlong’s poems, but also feel the profound meaning of the Chinese New Year from couplets, door-god images and paintings portraying winter events in the palace.

The multimedia section in the exhibition displays interactive palace lanterns to create lively scenes. “We hope to present a touchable and live Forbidden City through the exhibition,” said Song Xiaojun, editor-in-chief of the Palace Museum Publishing House.

Dates: Until Feb. 28

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Mondays (open on public holidays)

Tickets: 68-98 yuan

Venue: Huabo Art Center, Phase 2, Coco Park, Futian District (福田区Coco Park二期华博艺术中心)

Metro: Line 1 or 3 to Shopping Park Station (购物公园站), Exit E

(SD News)