Foreigners from the Silk Road at the time of the
Tang Dynasty
Imagine if you will a
caravan of 20 very large Camels each ridden by a foreigner from many different
lands to the West of China. They trek along the Great Silk Road which could be
seen for the very first time at the Bowers Museum if this presentation is
approved.

Their destination is China
itself at the time of the Tang Dynasty where they will meet with dozens of
immigrants from the West who have blended into the very fabric of society. So
much so that the 100 plus art objects in the exhibition were all found in the
Tombs of Tang courtiers and officials.
There were grooms and
attendants, singers and dancers, soldiers and guardians with different styles
and fashions, many of which were adopted by the local Chinese population. Even
dwarfs were imported as they were considered good luck for the Royal Family and
their courtiers.
The last major exhibition
of Foreigners took place in 1969 at the China Institute of America and since
this time many objects of major importance have been found. Yet no comprehensive
study of these objects and their relevance to Chinese society has been written
since 1959.
Bowers will have the
opportunity of presenting a unique and fascinating exhibition whilst at the same
time adding greatly to the published information presently available to the
public, libraries, museums and academics.
On a more personal level
regarding the nature of the Museum and its relevance to the residents of Orange
and Los Angeles County one object of the Exhibition, apart from presenting some of the finest
examples of ancient Chinese art and sculpture, is to strengthen the bonds
between the Chinese community and other ethnic groups in Orange County. Contrary
to the image engendered by the Great Wall of China, it has more often than not
been a welcoming country as evidenced by the Silk Road. For two thousand years,
China has not only welcomed foreigners into its borders but has adopted,
especially during the Tang Dynasty, its best fashion, music and culture whilst
at the same time influencing the cultures of the States to the West. We hope
this spirit of cross culturalization will be enhanced in Orange County by this
exhibition which is a testament to what different civilizations can achieve when
the arts are allowed to flourish and mix.
Michael S. Sanders
Orange, California
2006
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