Exhibition on "Hall of Mental Cultivation of The Palace Museum - Imperial Residence of Eight Emperors" to open tomorrow (with photos)
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Speaking at the opening ceremony today (June 28), the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that Yangxin Dian, which witnessed the prosperity of the reigns of Emperor Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, was significant as the political headquarters of China and its furnishings reflected the imperial culture. The exhibition will display more than 200 precious artefacts from the Hall, many of which are being exhibited outside the Palace Museum for the first time.
Mr Lau said that the exhibition's thematic display is uniquely based on the original setting of the Hall, with multimedia elements applied to recreate past scenes from historic events. He said that visitors will have the feeling of travelling back in time to experience the daily life of the emperors.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation was built in the Ming dynasty. Starting with Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing dynasty it effectively became the residence and office for handling state affairs of eight emperors. As the Hall is currently closed for large-scale renovation, artefacts usually situated there are being exhibited for the first time outside the palace.
Based on the original setting of the Hall, the exhibition will also display several important scenes from Yangxin Dian, such as the Central Hall where the emperors received the ministers; the East Warmth Chamber in which Empress Dowager Cixi attended to state affairs from behind a curtain; the West Warmth Chamber in which Emperor Yongzheng worked diligently; and the "Room of Three Rarities" - a study room where Emperor Qianlong appreciated paintings and calligraphy.
Highlight exhibits include a plaque with the calligraphic inscription "Zhong Zheng Ren He" (justice and benevolence) from the reign of Emperor Yongzheng; a seal with the phrase "It is difficult to be an emperor" belonging to Emperor Yongzheng; a plaque with calligraphic inscription "Room of Three Rarities" from the reign of Emperor Qianlong; a pair of zitan hanging panels with gilded cranes and rabbits in a bamboo grove; the painting "Imperial Summer Resort" by Leng Mei; a jade seal with the characters "valued collection of the Sovereign Emeritus"; and a zitan throne with jade inlay.
Other officiating guests attending the ceremony were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Minister of Culture, Mr Luo Shugang; the Vice Minister of Culture, Mr Ding Wei; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Yang Jian; the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Shan Jixiang; the Deputy Director-General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Mr Liu Shuguang; the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Anthony Chow; the Chairman of Museum Advisory Committee, Mr Stanley Wong; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li.
The exhibition is one of the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and will run until October 15. It is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Palace Museum, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Palace Museum. Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, it is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series.
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/en_US/web/ma/program01d.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.
Ends/Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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