Moving scroll brings Song dynasty to life

Coolies stack up bags of goods in a pile. People ride on donkeys and sedan chairs. Boats slip along a river, propelled by men. These are all moving characters in the animated version of Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, whose creator is making final preparations before it makes its debut in Hong Kong next week.

About one out of every 10 Hongkongers has secured a ticket to see the duplicate of the star exhibit from the China pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, which will be displayed at Asia World-Expo from Tuesday until November 29.

The exhibit is a digital version of the painting Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, which shows daily life unfolding in Kaifeng - formerly known as Bianjing - during the Northern Song Dynasty 900 years ago. Adjustments to make sure images projected by 12 projectors were synchronised were one-third finished, exhibition director Yu Zheng said yesterday. The progress was faster than scheduled, he said.

While each ticket holder is allowed an hour's visit, Yu advised people to spend 10 minutes getting an overall impression of the scroll before spending another 20 minutes looking at the details. Many might spend the rest of their time looking at exhibits on the dynasty and the animation technology, he said.

Science Museum curator Karen Sit Man described some of the 12 must-see attractions on the scroll. 'The Rainbow Bridge, the drum tower, the camel fleet, boats and various shops selling paper offerings, medicine and fragrances, for example,' she said.

People should arrive at the venue 15 minutes before their time slot, she said. The keenest fans can enter the waiting area an hour before their scheduled time to watch a video and look at exhibits about Hong Kong's participation at the World Expo.