"New,
new and even more new." That is what the National
Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (formerly Taiwan Museum
of Art) is declaring this season. With its grand
re-opening this summer, it is the place to go to
relieve yourself of the summer heat. Treat yourself
to an spiritual spa, soaking in the beauty of the
museum's fine collection of art, which ranges from
the Ming Dynasty to the 20th century. Striving
for a sleek and modern look, the renovations were
based on usage of glass materials. An attempt to
enter what used to be the main museum entrance
will bring you an new entrance, hidden between
translucent glass. Look for a marked spot on the
wall to find the door. The rest of the museum has
similarly been revamped and upgraded. This month,
the "Danlu Exhibit", displaying 10 different
themes of art work, challenges visitors to "listen" to
what pieces are saying and what the artist is trying
to convey. The first floor is also displaying the "Navigator--Digital
Art In the Making" exhibit, gathering creations
from all over the world. This eye-opening and thought-provoking
exhibit combines both the digital and artistic
worlds. One undiscovered treasure at the museum
is the Information Center, which has also been
revamped, and includes of thousands of English
and Chinese art-related books and magazines. The
museum bulletin board (and Compass Magazine) will
list future exhibits. --Cheng Lishea, Translated
by Teresa Cheng