2023 YUAN Haixia/Poetic and Artistic Scenes Amidst the Hustle and Bustle: What I Saw in Jebum-Gang Art Center

Poetic and Artistic Scenes Amidst the Hustle and Bustle: What I Saw in Jebum-Gang Art Center
Written by YUAN Haixia

Leaving the Jokhang Monastery, heading north along Barkhor West Street and Chongsaikang Road for 500 meters, you now arrive at the Jebum-Gang Art Center.
This remaining ancient building of perfect mandala-style in Lhasa stands amidst the bustling smoke and clamor of small vendors outside its walls, while inside unfolds an artistic world filled with poetic beauty.
The name “Jebum-Gang” derives from “Jibenggang”, meaning the “Sanctuary of One Hundred Thousand Tsongkhapas”, which is located at the heart of the old district of Lhasa, standing midway between the Jokhang Monastery and Ramoche Monastery, and also between the Potala Palace and Sera Nyingba Monastery, traditionally seen as the Energy Center in Lhasa.
In 2017, the Lhasa Municipal Government rediscovered Jebum-gang Lha-khang and initiated the first round of its renovations.
The Tihho Art Team subsequently joined efforts with the ZhiZao Architecture Firm and Yushao Lighting Group, spending three years on the protective renovations. In 2021, the Jebum-Gang Art Center was opened up.
Here, in Lhasa one can appreciate the rare mandala-style ancient architecture, admire exquisite murals of Qing Dynasty, observe Mani stone carvings unearthed during the restoration, listen to the Tibetan classical music, and read stories of Tibetan history...…
“It is definitely a completely new feast of vision and hearing, which presents the history and cultural essence of Lhasa, making our ancient buildings reborn,” said 32-year-old local, Ciwangzaxi.
The Jebum-Gang Art Center, with its more than 800 square meters of exhibition space, has now become a unique hub for contemporary art exchange in Lhasa. At the entrance of the Jebum-Gang Art Center, partitions made of copper plates crafted by Lhasa artisans constitute the wall, each piece unique, resembling the starry sky of Lhasa. Wooden floors creak underfoot as you walk through narrow passages, where the weathered murals of Milarepa glow faintly in the dim light, remaining their original colors and patterns in mute hues.
Here, donning headphones sends you to the ancient melodies, enveloped in boundless tranquility and remoteness, briefly forgetting the clamor outside.
Despite opening just two years ago, the Jebum-Gang Art Center has already become a cultural landmark in Lhasa.
“Planning to fly over just to visit Jebum-Gang Art Center,” says one, “I’ve already visited Jebum-Gang Art Center three times. Whenever my friends come to Lhasa, I would always like to bring them here—never getting exhausted." Another reflects, “Once dreamed of taking Tibetan culture to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou for exhibitions, but now I’ve abandoned that idea as only here can one see, observe quietly, and meditate deeply”. All the voice by young people on social media shows the affection for the Jebum-Gang Art Center.