A digital exhibition exploring how divine beings affect people’s lives is underway at the National Palace Museum in Taipei City, underscoring the museum’s expertise in leveraging technology to create unique sensory experiences for visitors.
Running until Aug. 31, the event is titled “Gods Among Us” and comprises six exhibition areas. The Interactive Section features an eight-minute animation, which digitally reinterprets the museum’s treasured artifacts and reveals how belief has shaped culture and daily existence.
In Creation of the Cosmos, visitors encounter primordial chaos and the emergence of yin and yang. Deities Take Their Posts examines how gods became embedded in the natural and political orders, while Into the Halls of Power shows how divine beings were integrated into official systems, At Home and Beyond reveals the flexible presence of deities in everyday life and Divine Calendars presents the rituals and rhythms of annual festivals.
Among the exhibits is an installation inspired by the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) scroll “The Three Taoist Officials Making an Inspection Tour” by Ma Lin. Through motion sensors, visitors can mirror the gestures of the attendants and become part of the grand ceremonial procession.
Equally impressive is a 3D model inspired by “The Diagram Showing the Reconstruction of Various Structures in the Prefecture of Taiwan” from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) that uses augmented reality to bring to life the work’s temples and architectural landmarks.
NPM Deputy Director Huang Yung-tai said during the launch ceremony June 5 that one of the exhibition’s highlights is the use of generative artificial intelligence and interactive sensor technology. The event also links information on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals to prompt visitors to contemplate the role and responsibility of museums in contemporary society, he added.
“Gods Among Us” follows digital exhibitions “Journey Through the Four Seasons” and “Evoking Aura: Invoking Visionary Insights” held by the NPM in 2023 and 2024, respectively. (YCH-E)
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