Virtual renderings prove looting in Buddhist caves

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SAFE's blog Cultural Heritage in Danger just posted about this PBS report by Jeffrey Brown on an exhibition, "Echoes of the Past", that focuses on looted Buddhist icons from a group of sixth-century caves called Xiangtangshan in China. This exhibition features virtual renderings of the caves that put back the sculptures back where they originally belonged and can physically prove that pieces have been removed from the site. The exhibition originated at the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, is currently at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C. until July 31, and then will be heading to Dallas and San Diego.

This kind of research would be another huge benefit of art museums teaming up with institutions for degree programs.