NTM exhibition offers fresh take on historic buildings

2015/12/17

An innovative exhibition drawing back the curtain on the historic buildings of National Taiwan Museum and surrounding area kicked off Dec. 15 in Taipei City.

“Deconstruction: Architectural Drawings of the National Taiwan Museum by Li Chien-lang” comprises 105 cutaway, exploded, isometric and perspective graphics, as well as the architecture scholar’s impressions of structures like NTM, Land Bank Exhibition Hall, Red House, Taiwan Railways Administration’s former headquarters and White Palace of Nanmen Park.

“These facilities were witness to the turbulent 1902-1933 period in Taiwan,” said Li, who doubles as a professor of art management and culture policy at New Taipei City-based National Taiwan University of Arts.

“The various architectural styles reflect the nation’s history and development while documenting the political and industrial transformation of society. There are no finer examples of this than the museum and ex-TRA headquarters.”

Established in 1908 by the Japanese colonial government (1895-1945), NTM is the only building of its era in Taiwan with a neoclassical facade, Corinthian columns and a whitewashed lobby. The main dome, which is suspended 30 meters above the floor, helps contribute to the structure’s rarefied atmosphere.

Not to be outdone, the former TRA headquarters—constructed in 1919 from red brick and precious hinoki and fir wood—is the largest Tudor style building in Taiwan. It is currently undergoing large-scale renovation and expected to open next year as a world-class national railways museum.

But Li’s works are not limited by the boundaries of reality. His impressions challenge viewers to reimagine familiar structures and accompany him on a journey into a world rich in vivid colors and unbridled creativity.

One highlight is a sketch depicting NTM’s front gate. Utilizing the composition and color styles employed by Czech painter Alfons Mucha, Li goes a step further in adding a generous dollop of local flavor with images of blue magpies, buffalos and Formosan clouded leopards.

Equally eye-catching is a work reminiscent of the Beatles’ iconic “Abbey Road” album cover featuring the exhibition’s landmark buildings in one street. Show-goers are invited to glimpse an alternative, ideal existence.

Running through Feb. 21 next year, the exhibition is set to play a key role in heightening public awareness of efforts to preserve historic buildings, as well as showcase architectural splendor of the last century.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240222&ctNode=2194&mp=9)