NPM artworks exhibited at Taipei temple

2014-12-03

An exhibition of pieces from the National Palace Museum’s collection opened Nov. 27 at Songshan Fengtian Temple in Taipei City’s Xinyi District, part of an effort by the museum to bolster public interest in the arts.

Comprising 28 works, the Children’s NPM Digital Playground exhibition showcases 3-D videos, digital demonstrations, and painting and calligraphy replicas of art pieces by such renowned artists as Fan Kuan of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Giuseppe Castiglione, a Jesuit painter in the service of the Qing court (1644-1911).

“We are pleased to stage this event, which employs technological innovations and encourages children’s participation,” NPM Director Fung Ming-chu said at the launch. “The NPM is committed to using cutting-edge technology to bring the richness of our nation’s culture to more people.”

The event features seven sections, including Adventure around the Universe, Painting and Calligraphy Magnifier and Spring Blossoms. Entering into its second year, this creative exhibition has something for everyone.

Fung said that a highlight of the event is a large interactive installation with the Great Universal Map crafted by Flemish Jesuit missionary Ferdinand Verbiest in 1674. The artwork recreates a conversation on geography between Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722) and the painter and contains an animation of beasts portrayed on the map coming to life. This latter element, she said, makes the display particularly interesting to children.

Equally fascinating is an interactive video featuring 70 of the 500 Chinese characters inscribed inside the bronze vessel Mao Gong Ding, which dates to the late Western Zhou period (1046-771 B.C.). “Visitors, especially adults, will enjoy seeing how the writing styles of Chinese characters have evolved by dragging a cursor and selecting icons on the screen.”

The free exhibit also includes the NPM’s three animated films showcasing Taiwan’s ecology, picturesque scenery and unique customs.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224792&CtNode=413 )