Cross-cultural Exchange of Heritage in Museums: A Study of Dunhuang Art in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from the Perspective of Cultural Translation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Translation is involved in cross-cultural exchange of heritage—transplanting the cultural heritage that belongs to one particular cultural-linguistic community into a new place and for a new audience. Using the concept of cultural translation as the theoretical framework, this study explores how translation is embedded yet largely hidden when Dunhuang artefacts are digitally positioned in a Hong Kong-based museum. It lays bare the connection between the cultures of Dunhuang and Hong Kong, and reveals how Hong Kong visitors perceive the exoticness of the Dunhuang culture on display. Translation is not only exemplified by the bilingual panels and captions throughout the exhibition, but is also enhanced in non-verbal aspects, especially those in relation to digital installations and visual design of the exhibition. This case study draws our attention to the phenomenon where psychological resemblance is lodged in constitutional difference in heritage exchanges in museums.