Universiade’s mascot Bravo inspires NPM exhibition

2017/08/03

A special exhibition of bear-themed artworks inspired by Bravo, the Formosan black bear mascot of the Aug.19-30 Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade, is underway at National Palace Museum as part of efforts to promote the largest global sporting event ever staged in Taiwan.
 
“Bravo at the NPM,” which runs until Oct. 31, comprises four pieces created between the Han (202 B.C. to 220 A.D.) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties: an ornately engraved and textured celadon, or greenware, bear lamp; a black-and-white jade sculpture portraying a boy and a bear holding hands and smiling; and two bear-shaped vessels fashioned from bronze and jade.
 
 According to NPM, the pieces were selected on the strength of their artistic quality, exceptional craftsmanship and value as faithful representations of the bear’s beauty and power in traditional Chinese art.
 
 The bear is a symbol of physical strength and is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, the NPM said, adding that this makes it the perfect theme for an exhibition designed to honor the Universiade’s athletes while taking the facility to a broader international audience.
 
 In addition to the four artworks, “A Closer Look at Chinese Painting: Selected Works from the Ages in the Museum Collection” is open until Sept. 25 at NPM. Including a selection of pieces featuring sporting activities in ancient China, the exhibition is expected to prove popular with art aficionados from home and abroad.
 
 The NPM said it anticipates the exhibitions will help attract a large number of visitors to the facility, and is rolling out a number of promotional measures during the games such as free admission for athletes and invited dignitaries.
 
 Also known as the World University Games, the Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival held every two years in a different city worldwide. The 29th Universiade in Taipei involves 7,639 student athletes from 141 countries contesting 21 sports at 38 competition venues in Taipei, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, New Taipei and Taoyuan cities.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=119339)