Deputy Consul General launches Year of the Dragon project

A MULTIMEDIA project celebrating the Year of the Dragon has been launched at the Golden Dragon Museum by Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Melbourne, Dongyuan Liu.

Delivered through an iPad application, House of Loong tells the story of why three generations of Imperial Processional Dragons (Loong, Sun Loong, Dai Gum Loong) were commissioned and brought to Bendigo.

Designed by local creator and arts advocate Ivan Sun, the project has three components – a documentary, an audio experience and an interactive quiz with 3D animations.

“Dragons have played a fascinating central role in China’s culture for thousands of years,” Deputy Consul General Liu said.

“In this, the Year of the Dragon, it is exciting to see House of Loong being given a special place in the Museum, allowing visitors of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn more about Bendigo’s three mighty Dragons.

“We are delighted to see this relevant and advanced multilayered multimedia experience, and on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General I thank the museum for its hard work.”

Sun said as an artist and educator it’s important to him that the audience finds House of Loong not only an informative experience, but also emotionally moving.

“The three components of the project are designed to complement each other, allowing visitors to engage with new technology to explore and learn about China’s very ancient culture and how the Dragons have become part of Bendigo’s history and identity,” he said.

The new installation coincides with the launch of a temporary exhibition at the Museum – In Focus: Images of Bendigo’s Dragons 1895 – 2024, which traces the history of the many dragons that have featured in Bendigo and further afield since the late 19th century.

Find out more on the Golden Dragon Museum website.