OCT 2001

VOLUME 32 - NUMBER 8

In the face of adversity, New Yorkers have shown great resilience in their desire to rebuild the city and return life to normal. Typical of this spirit is the determination of Vishakha Desai and her team of architects, designers, artists and curators to complete the Asia Society's new galleries. The society's commitment to enriching American understanding of other cultures has perhaps become even more pressing. Their opening show, 'Monks and Merchants: Silk Road Treasures from Northwest China, Gansu and Ningxia 4th to 7th Century', is the result of difficult and delicate loan negotiations with Chinese institutions. Curators Annette Juliano and Judith Lerner were able to examine a recently excavated funerary couch - deemed too fragile to leave the Tianshui Museum - for their article in this issue. However, the five earthenware musicians found alongside the couch are in the show. These are illustrated on this month's cover. Out of respect, the exhibition has been postponed.

Early autumn is traditionally a busy time for Asian art in New York, but in a show of solidarity, Christie's and Sotheby's have taken the unprecedented stop of rescheduling their September sales to 15-17 October, with many dealers following suit.

FEATURES
David Ake Sensabaugh. Mu Xin: A Wanderer With Roots
Sally Hovey Wriggins. Ikuo Hirayama, Artist and Advocate
Valerie C. Doran. Xu Bing: A Logos for the Genuine Experience
Peng Jinzhang. New Archaeological Discoveries in the Northern Area of the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang
Annette L. Juliano. Hidden Treasures: Little-known Buddhist Cave Temples from Northwest China, 5th to 7th Centuries
Annette L. Juliano and Judith A. Lerner. The Miho Couch Revisited in Light of Recent Discoveries
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Asian Art in London - Preview Highlights
Cultura World Art and Antiques Fair, Basel
INTERVIEWS
Valerie C. Doran. Interview with Vishakha N. Desai
COMMENTARY
James Cahill. Commentary: Symposia, Conferences and Colloquies...the last word?