Analysis of “Reality” and “Abstract” in Dunhuang Architectural Art and Its Modern Applications

Abstract

As a pivotal node on the ancient Silk Road, the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang preserve a millennium-long architectural heritage spanning from the 4th to the 14th century CE. This study establishes a dual-dimensional analytical framework of “Reality-Abstraction” to conduct a systematic investigation into Dunhuang’s architectural art: the “Reality” dimension focuses on physical cave structures (encompassing six primary types, namely meditation caves, pagoda-temple caves, hall caves, nirvana caves, giant Buddha caves, and tomb caves), wooden-eaves buildings, and rammed-earth buildings, exploring how architectural forms adapted to dynamically evolving religious and functional demands; the “Abstraction” dimension examines architectural images in murals, including structural components, building complexes, and pagodas, which can be regarded as visual documents recording eight centuries of historical architectural practices. Through in-depth analysis of 15 representative caves, more than 40 mural scenes depicting architecture, and 8 contemporary architectural projects, this study draws three core conclusions: first, Dunhuang architecture possesses dual-dimensional attributes-physical buildings exhibit functional adaptability and the integration of Chinese and Indian styles, while mural images provide crucial empirical evidence for reconstructing lost architectural traditions; second, the modern translation of Dunhuang elements (rammed-earth craftsmanship, dougong systems, and apsaras patterns) in projects such as the Dunhuang International Convention and Exhibition Center and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Venues has realized the organic integration of traditional cultural connotations and modern architectural functions; third, both physical buildings and murals collectively reflect the cultural integration process along the Silk Road, providing material evidence for the exchange of architectural techniques between the East and the West. This integrated “Reality-Abstraction” framework not only expands the academic dimension of Dunhuang architectural research but also offers methodological references for the study of heritage site-based cultural heritage, while laying a theoretical foundation for the creative transformation of cultural heritage in contemporary architectural design.