We are enjoying the mix of futuristic and ancient art work around the city. It has a modern feel at times juxtaposed with 18th century temples and intricate carved stone. In this post we’ll show some of the artwork and parks around Taipei.
Street scenes
Are we art? Maybe we are!
One of the museums we visited in Taipei was a “Miniatures Museum.” So many idyllic village scenes and recreated furniture pieces through out the homes. Here is grand piano miniature set among a Christmas scene. The piano was about 4 inches long, and it’s almost possible to read the sheet music.
The Museum of Contemporary Art had a number of art exhibits, but the art glass was the most impressive. The second photo shows ears of corn, formed by the casting of the glass.
North of us within walking distance was the Taipei Fine Arts Museum in the Zhongshan District. This area has extensive parks and an expo center as well.
They were running an extensive calligraphy exhibit, ranging from traditional to very modern styles.
Art in the park
Tim’s addition of post it note artwork to a cabinet in our apartment. Because it looked like it needed eyes, so why not?
Subway station artwork
Tim and I attended a Traditional Taiwanese Opera for the first time. I deliberately chose a shorter 60 minute version with a tale about Chinese lovers. This particular opera used acrobats, dancing, singing, beautiful costumes with simpler sets and English translations of the moralized story. We both enjoyed it, even though this type of singing sounds very nasal to a westerner. It had a haunting beauty to it. Tim felt one hour was just the “right” length.
From Wikipedia “Traditional Chinese opera is a form of musical theater in China with roots going back to the early periods in China. It is an amalgamation of various art forms that existed in ancient China, and evolved gradually over more than a thousand years, reaching its mature form in the 13th century during the Song dynasty (960–1279).”
But first, Deb with a couple of dragons.
The opera had nice displays for attendees, including letting people dress up in opera costumes and get their pictures taken. They also had live music- a Guzheng based on the pentatonic scale created around 221-206 BC
Musician’s score for a traditional instrument and singer. WOW! I would like to understand this better!
Creating our own “Happy New Year” art work with Chinese calligraphy.
