NEW YORK, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition exploring the depiction of music in ancient Chinese paintings has recently opened in New York, offering visitors a glimpse into the artistic, cultural and social life of China's Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Titled "The Unheard Melody: Music in Chinese Paintings," the exhibition features a curated selection of Song Dynasty paintings portraying musical performances and cultural life. Divided into three sections -- "Harmony Through Music," "Elegance and Refinement in Music" and "Music in Common Life" -- the exhibition explores the role of music in Song society, from court ceremonies and literati gatherings to everyday life.
The exhibits are selected from A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings. This landmark cultural preservation project has reproduced more than 12,400 Chinese paintings and sets of paintings from museums and cultural institutions in China and abroad.
"The Song Dynasty was a high point in the history of Chinese art, and it was a critical moment in the history of Chinese music," Jeffrey Moser, chair of the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Brown University, told Xinhua.
"If you try to understand the relationship between music and Chinese painting, the Song Dynasty is the best place to begin," he said.
Peter Walker, co-chair of the China Institute in America, expressed his hope that cultural exchanges and cooperation between the United States and China would continue to deepen.
Thursday's event also featured Kunqu Opera and traditional Chinese music performances, an art lecture and interactive cultural activities, including flower arranging, traditional Chinese lacquer fan making and Hanfu experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the aesthetic traditions reflected in the paintings.
The exhibition, open to the public until Aug. 27, is jointly organized by the China Institute in America, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and Zhejiang University. ■