An exhibition exploring the mystery of the human body through historical images kicked off March 13 at the National Palace Museum in Taipei City to encourage reflection on the human body.
Running through June 8, “Body on Display” showcases a selection of classical texts, antiquities and paintings divided into four sections: “Perspectives on Body,” “Body Training,” “Body Variations” and “Body Discipline.”
According to the NPM, the exhibition explores understanding of the body and, through the images, aims to re-interpret and re-present the body from cultural, legal, medicine and religious perspectives. It also examines depictions of hybrid bodies (human-animal or animal-human hybrid forms), disabilities and the constraints imposed on the body by politics and the traditional code of ethics and punishment.
Artefacts featured include “Lüliguan Jiaozheng Xiyuanlu (Records of the Washing Away of Wrongs, Revised by the Bureau of the Codes),” the oldest and most influential forensic science book by the Song dynasty’s Song Ci (1186-1249); “Wuzang Ciditu (Illustrations of the Five Viscera),” an anatomical illustration from a religious perspective by the famous sixth century BCE Indian physician Jivaka; and “Sancai Tuhui (Assembled Illustrations of the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth and Man),” an encyclopedia that contains images of mystical creatures with human heads and fish or snake bodies.
As the country celebrates the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program, the NPM sees the exhibition as an opportunity for the public to reflect on the meaning of the human body and take action to respond to the government’s vision to build a healthy Taiwan for all. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
Running through June 8, “Body on Display” showcases a selection of classical texts, antiquities and paintings divided into four sections: “Perspectives on Body,” “Body Training,” “Body Variations” and “Body Discipline.”
According to the NPM, the exhibition explores understanding of the body and, through the images, aims to re-interpret and re-present the body from cultural, legal, medicine and religious perspectives. It also examines depictions of hybrid bodies (human-animal or animal-human hybrid forms), disabilities and the constraints imposed on the body by politics and the traditional code of ethics and punishment.
Artefacts featured include “Lüliguan Jiaozheng Xiyuanlu (Records of the Washing Away of Wrongs, Revised by the Bureau of the Codes),” the oldest and most influential forensic science book by the Song dynasty’s Song Ci (1186-1249); “Wuzang Ciditu (Illustrations of the Five Viscera),” an anatomical illustration from a religious perspective by the famous sixth century BCE Indian physician Jivaka; and “Sancai Tuhui (Assembled Illustrations of the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth and Man),” an encyclopedia that contains images of mystical creatures with human heads and fish or snake bodies.
As the country celebrates the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program, the NPM sees the exhibition as an opportunity for the public to reflect on the meaning of the human body and take action to respond to the government’s vision to build a healthy Taiwan for all. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News