Chongqing—On December 17, the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, in collaboration with the National Museum of Chinese Writing, Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, iFlytek Input, and iFlytek (Suzhou) Research Institute, launched the exhibition "Hear and See: Chinese Culture in Chinese Characters" in Southwest China's Chongqing.
The "Hear and See: Chinese Culture in Chinese Characters" exhibition focuses on sound. (Photo/Zhang Jinqi)
The exhibition, which showcases 205 cultural relics, is divided into three main sections: "Historical Evolution," "Research and Dissemination," and "Artistic Inheritance." Among the artifacts, 11 are first-class relics, and 13 are second-class relics. However, what sets this exhibition apart from others is its focus on sound, an element introduced by the curator, Fu Wanping, Director of the Research Department at Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum.
"In this exhibition, sound is not just supplementary material; it has become part of the exhibit itself," said Fu. Visitors will be greeted by nearly 70 audio segments, each contributing to the overall experience.
Fu pointed to the first exhibit on display, a rotating screen showing the classic poem Qin Feng: Jianjia from the Book of Songs, written in ancient seal script. "This is what we've reconstructed using 'ancient phonology.'” Fu explained that the audio represents ancient sounds from the pre-Qin period (before 206 BC) and the Han dynasty (206 BC—220 AD), which are referred to as "Old Chinese."
Visitors can hear what ancient people might have sounded like when reciting lines like "Jianjia cangcang, bai lu wei shuang" ("Green, green the reed. Dew and frost gleam.") — a truly immersive experience.
The evolution of Chinese characters, which combine form, sound, and meaning, is another highlight of the exhibition. The "Historical Evolution" section features a fascinating array of artifacts, from oracle bones unearthed at the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC) site in Zhengzhou to bronze inscriptions, small seal script, clerical script, and cursive writing, offering visitors a clear view of the development of Chinese characters over time.
The "Artistic Inheritance" section brings the most interactive elements of the exhibition, where visitors can engage with AI-powered exhibits. For example, the interactive station allows visitors to speak or type a message, which instantly appears on the large screen and is read aloud in various Chinese dialects, powered by iFlytek AI technology.
China is home to one of the richest linguistic resources in the world, featuring five major language families, more than 130 languages, and ten dialects. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the diverse ways in which a single phrase can be spoken across the country. Visitors can experience how a simple greeting sounds in dialects such as Mandarin, Jin, and Wu dialects, among others.
"We hope visitors come with their eyes and ears open, ready to experience both this exhibition's visual and auditory aspects. 'Hear and See: Chinese Culture in Chinese Characters' is not just an exhibition; it's a journey through 'Technology + Culture'. Every stroke, every sound, carries a story, an emotion. Let‘’s step into the world of Chinese characters and appreciate the depth of Chinese culture," Fu concluded.
The exhibition will run until March 18, 2025. Interested visitors can book free tickets to the temporary exhibition hall on the fourth floor of the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum.