The magic of conservation

But Zhong Mei, another curator of the exhibition from the Capital Museum, says this highlighted display should not only serve professional scholars, but the general public as well. Consequently, the gallery has also turned into a venue to appreciate popular science and understand the materials used in these exhibits. Different kinds of cottons and silk are juxtaposed for the exhibition as a way to show, literally, how Chinese people's material lives have evolved.

To offer a more immersive visiting experience, the exhibition is equipped with augmented reality facilities to help bring the exhibits to life in the gallery.

"Conservation of cultural relics in China used to mainly focus on just salvaging the relics," says Luo Jing, a director in charge of museum development with the National Cultural Heritage Administration. "However, in recent years, measures preventing potential danger to more items have been given equal importance.

"A complete set of cultural relics technology and system solutions are also gradually taking shape," Luo says. "In addition, the conservation system based on risk management has been established and is becoming more systematic and comprehensive with the help of a multidisciplinary approach."