The catalogue is part of the Biennial International Cultural in Rome, event focusing on the Countries of the Middle and Far East: eleven major exhibitions with subjects ranging from history and archeology to contemporary art and topical issues.
In a world preview, the exhibition “a Oriente: città, uomini e dei sulle Vie della Seta” is curated by the Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies, under the scientific supervision of Gherardo Gnoli, Pierfrancesco Callieri and Francesco D’Arelli. Based on a Chinese map more than 30 meters long, dating from the early 16th century, recently found in Japan, the exhibition will examine the cultural and religious overlaps along the Silk Route, with scenery designed by Studio Azzurro. Almost as if unrolling a scroll, the exhibition will take the visitor on a fascinating and seemingly endless journey, llustrated with virtual material and a selection of important artifacts of various kinds, through the cities which animated the route from Mare Nostrum to Beijing between the 2nd century BC and the 14th century AD. The catalogue, enhanced by numerous details from the map and contributions by specialists in the sector, is intended as a sort of alternative log-book to accompany visitors to the exhibition. The initiative is part of a far-reaching program of the biennial international cultural event focusing on the countries of the middle and far east: eleven major exhibitions with subjects ranging from history and archeology to contemporary art and topical issues.