The Art Institute of Chicago has partnered with the Tuscany-based sculpting studio Ten X to create two marble reimaginations of a rare 8th-century Tang dynasty Bodhisattva. The original limestone sculpture, a centerpiece of the museum’s Asian art collection, has been missing its left arm since it was acquired in 1930, leaving its meditative gesture a mystery. Rather than attempting a traditional restoration, curator Dr. Tao Wang commissioned two distinct versions that explore different historical possibilities for the figure's hand placement based on extensive cross-cultural research.
This project highlights a shift in conservation and curatorial practice, moving away from definitive restoration toward "radical reimagining" through technology and collaboration. By using cutting-edge sculpting techniques to produce Study A and Study B, the museum invites viewers to engage with the sculpture as an open field of inquiry rather than a static relic. The initiative underscores how contemporary craftsmanship and digital analysis can breathe new life into ancient artifacts while respecting their historical ambiguity.