Exhibition showcases research on tangyang models by Chinese and German students

Prince Kung's Palace Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Dialogue, Reproduction & Inheritance: An Exhibition of the Collaborative Research on Tangyang Models Undertaken by Sino-German Students in the East Zone 2.

Hosted by the museum, the exhibition serves as an extension of the 2025 program From Model to Masterpiece, presenting the achievements of recording, researching, and reproducing Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) architectural tangyang (ironed paper model) conducted since 2019 by students and faculty from Tsinghua University and Technical University of Berlin. Through a cross-cultural perspective, the exhibition explores the revitalization and transmission of traditional Chinese architectural craftsmanship.

Tangyang refers to architectural paper models crafted through cutting, ironing, and bonding, which were used by artisans to communicate design concepts to decision-makers and builders. Surviving examples not only reflect the sophistication of Qing architectural art and construction techniques, but also provide invaluable references for the preservation, study, and restoration of historical buildings.

At the heart of the exhibition is an ironed paper model replica of the underground palace of the Huiling Mausoleum (Mausoleum of Emperor Tongzhi, r. 1861-75), made by students from the School of Architecture at Technical University of Berlin and originally housed in the Ethnological Museum of Berlin. It is displayed in a "three-dimensional disassembly" way, revealing the internal structure and components of the model. Complemented by photographs, videos, tools, and materials, the exhibition unfolds across four thematic sections, highlighting both the historical significance and contemporary educational value of tangyang.

The exhibition also features cartoons and illustrations by participating students, helping translate academic findings into engaging visual narratives. The gallery space evokes an active classroom environment, where handwritten notes, Q&A panels, and interview videos immerse visitors in the academic journey of architectural history major students.

This exhibition marks the latest practice of the museum's co-curation initiative, "Our space, your voice". Students from both universities were invited to narrate their research stories, working alongside young museum staff to form a curatorial team with an average age under 30. Together, they have created an interactive and collaborative cultural space.