On February 13, 2025, Dr. Mengge Cao, Postdoctoral Scholar at the Center for the Art of East Asia (CAEA) at the University of Chicago, delivered a presentation at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools’ Asian Student Association (ASA) meeting. Titled “Reconstruct | Reconnect,” the talk explored how digital reconstruction and extended reality can bridge historical gaps and forge new connections in understanding Chinese architectural heritage.

The talk guided students through an interwoven histories of two sites: the celebrated opening of an architectural replica of a Lama temple in Rehe (present day Chengde, Hebei province) in 1933 Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago and the 1930s dispersal of the coffered ceilings of Zhihua Temple from Beijing to the United States. Using case studies from the Dispersed Chinese Art Digitization Project (DCADP), Dr. Cao demonstrated the importance of reimaging the curatorial narratives for dispersed artifacts as well as diaspora communities.

The presentation resonated with the students, sparking an engaging discussion on the intersection of art history, technology, and cultural heritage. Reflecting on the talk, ASA members expressed enthusiasm for the project and its broader implications. "Our members have expressed collective interest in your work and are eager to learn more about your project and about art history in the context of East Asian studies," noted ASA’s student representative, David. He added, “I was especially interested in the use of AI to generate accurate visual models, as you described.” This visit is part of DCADP’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and digital art history education. By fostering conversations with high school students, the initiative seeks to cultivate new perspectives on cultural heritage and inspire future generations.

A video of the talk can be viewed here.