At a crossroad on the Silk Road
Updated: 2015-08-18 08:35
By Lin Qi(China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
Ever since the first brick was laid, debate has swirled around MOCA Yinchuan, with many people questioning if the underdeveloped Ningxia Hui autonomous region in China's barren northwest is the best place for a contemporary art museum.
The museum finally showed its face to the world with a grand opening on Aug 8. The museum promises to rejuvenate the cultural glory of Yinchuan, a vital crossing point on the ancient Silk Road.
MOCA Yinchuan is located in a half-built art district on the western bank of the Yellow River, far away from the Yinchuan city center. It is surrounded by an idyllic backdrop of rice paddy fields and wetlands.
The museum covers 15,000 square meters. Its innovative architecture imitates the geological fold commonly seen on the rocks and mountains along the Yellow River.
In its heyday, Yinchuan served as a gateway for nomads and Arab merchants to the Middle Kingdom. It has long been an intersection of multiple cultures and today, a quarter of its population are Hui people, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group.
MOCA Yinchuan aims to be a platform to demonstrate and study the connection between Islamic and Chinese civilizations. It is dedicated to providing brand-new channels of communication for Eastern and Western cultures.
Related Stories
Exhibition on Japan's bacteriological chemical warfare opens in Tokyo 2015-08-16 15:44
Memories of war 2015-08-13 07:36
Exhibition hall of intangible cultural heritage kicks off in N China 2015-08-12 14:39
Gold and silver ware exhibition of Palace Museum held in Beijing 2015-08-12 14:17
Regional artists show their outlook on life 2015-08-12 13:57
Today's Top News
Sodium cyanide in Tianjin to be cleared
Premier Li pledges thorough investigation into deadly blasts
Explosion in Thai capital kills 27
Port operations return to normal after Tianjin blasts
Experts say J-10s would benefit Iran
British large companies' bosses paid 183 times average UK worker
Indonesia rescuers head to mountains in missing plane search
Questions remain as fires put out after Tianjin blasts
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |
NE China: From powerhouse to poor relation |
Worlds apart in a different class |
Road map points way for new industrial cluster |
Plan to teach pupils practical skills welcome |
Civility strikes back |