The “FLASH! The Palace Museum: A Pop-up Digital Experience” exhibition opened at Tai Kwun, Hong Kong, on January 17, 2025. Organized by the Palace Museum, with support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and exclusive funding from the Institute of Philanthropy, the event was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Lester G Huang, steward of the HKJC and chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy, and Zhu Hongwen, deputy director of the Palace Museum.
The exhibition creatively showcases the magnificent architecture, precious artifacts, and centuries-long cultural traditions of the Palace Museum using cutting-edge digital technology. It is the first time the Palace Museum has presented its rich cultural heritage in Hong Kong entirely through digital means.
The exhibition space combines the symmetrical “central axis” planning concept with the ancient architectural design principle of “round heaven and square earth.” Featuring a square layout with a circular exhibition zone at its center, all displays are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hall. Visitors can immerse themselves in highlights such as “Green and Blue Landscape Painting: A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains,” “Treasured Collections,” “Impressions of the Corner Tower,” and “Imperial Cuisine.” These exhibits showcase the intricate details of the national treasure painting A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains and other precious artifacts from the Palace Museum. Visitors can also experience the craftsmanship behind Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) imperial dishes and the complex construction of the corner towers of the Forbidden City, gaining a deeper understanding of the profound charm and sophisticated techniques of Chinese art and culture. In addition, the Palace Museum will host lectures during the exhibition. A team of experts will share insights into the digital displays and architectural construction, further promoting cultural education.
Noting that the Palace Museum is both a treasure of Chinese civilization and a World Cultural Heritage site, Lester G Huang stated that the Institute of Philanthropy actively supports the Palace Museum’s efforts to inject new vitality into traditional culture through technology, promoting Chinese culture in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, and other parts of the world.
Zhu said that the Palace Museum will continue to collaborate with the HKJC and other socially responsible organizations to advance the development of a “Safe Palace Museum, Academic Palace Museum, Digital Palace Museum, and Dynamic Palace Museum.” These efforts aim to position the Palace Museum as a world-class institution, a model for cultural heritage preservation, a leader in cultural tourism integration, and a hub for global cultural exchange, contributing to goal of building China into a cultural powerhouse.
In May last year, the HKJC and the Institute of Philanthropy signed a framework agreement with the Palace Museum for the “Chinese Culture Spreading and Cultural Technology Talent Cultivation” program. Under this plan, the Institute of Philanthropy, funded by the HKJC and its Charities Trust, pledged 371 million yuan to promote Chinese culture and nurture talent in arts and technology across the globe. This exhibition is one of the program’s key activities, providing Hong Kong residents and visitors with an opportunity to experience Palace Museum culture up-close and further deepen cultural exchange between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
The exhibition will run for 15 days until January 31, 2025.