Restoration of China’s First 180-degree Panorama Begins

In March 2015, IPC President Sara Velas met with representatives at the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and learned more about the future restoration of the Panorama of the Lugouqiao Incident (also known as The Battle of Marco Polo Bridge) which was originally created in the 1980s under curator Mr. Xia Shu-Shen.

The 180-degree painting, which was the first created in China, is going to be restored by many of  the original team members, including IPC Members Mr. Xia Shu-Shen and Mr. Mao Wen Biao, who will travel from London to work on the project. At the meeting, Mr. Xia presented the IPC with a DVD recording of the conference proceedings in 2001 which he helped organize, in partnership with the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.  Mr. Xia introduced representatives from the museum as well as some of his other colleagues who will work on creating a new faux terrain for the installation as well as an updated special effects, video, sound & light cycle to add to the visitors experience while still keeping the focus on the unique painting.

When Ms. Velas arrived to the site with her colleague Ms. Guan Rong, they discovered the museum to be a massive construction site.  Director Mr. Shen Qiang and Vice Director Mr. Luo Cunkang of the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression explained that, along with the painting restoration project, the entire museum is going to be updated and expanded as part of the recognition and celebration of the 70^th Year Anniversary of the end of the war with Japan (1945).  Having a panorama restored by the original creators is a unique opportunity in art conservation and we hope to get further updates on the project from their team in the future.