What’s it like when a Neolithic civilization unfolds across a modern metropolis through contemporary dance, runway shows and digital light projections? In Hangzhou, east China, the ancient Liangzhu Civilization — long confined to excavation sites and museum display cases — has been brought out into the city’s public spaces.

On a giant LED screen, particle wave effects evoke the waterscape of ancient Liangzhu city, as signature artifacts including jade tubes, jade discs and human-animal mask motifs emerge one after another. A Liangzhu-themed contemporary dance piece is woven through the fashion presentation, alternating between movement and runway to form a narrative arc: tracing the roots of civilization, connecting to contemporary daily life, and striking a shared spiritual chord.

Yang Hui / Professor / Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology:

"It’s a collision and fusion of traditional culture and contemporary fashion — it forges a civilizational dialogue that stretches from ancient times to the modern day."

Yao Huimin / Deputy Director / Liangzhu:

"Museum through dance, performance, aesthetics, fashion and lighting, it creates a form of expression that audiences around the world can understand and remember."