National Palace Museum Southern Branch Launches Summer Exhibitions on Ancient Cooling Methods and Calligraphy with Intentional 'Mistakes'

(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, June 16) In celebration of the summer vacation, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch has launched two special exhibitions: 'Cooling Through the Ages – How Did Ancient People Beat the Heat?' and the 'Calligraphy of Mistakes Exhibition.' Visitors are invited to beat the heat while appreciating the artistry of intentional or accidental errors in classical calligraphy, experiencing up close the wisdom of ancient cooling techniques and the emotional depth behind each brushstroke.

The museum held a press conference this morning to launch its summer exhibitions, attended by Deputy Director Yu Pei-chin of the National Palace Museum, Southern Branch Director Peng Tzu-cheng, and three curators who introduced the featured artworks.

Deputy Director Yu Pei-chin stated in her opening remarks that this summer, the Southern Branch offers the public 'N Ways to Approach National Treasures.' Beyond water-themed performances, the museum has launched three exhibitions simultaneously: 'Cooling Through the Ages – How Did Ancient People Beat the Heat?', 'Xiao Xia: Summer Imagery in Painting and Calligraphy,' and the special exhibition on calligraphic 'mistakes.' Together, these exhibitions feature seven national treasure artifacts, inviting visitors to encounter cultural heritage during their summer travels.

Tsai Chun-i, Assistant Researcher at the Museum's Department of Painting, Calligraphy, and Documents and curator of 'Cooling Through the Ages,' explained that the exhibition highlights the elegant and ingenious ways ancient people achieved comfort in food, clothing, housing, and transportation before the advent of electricity.

Tsai pointed out that one of the national treasures on display is Tang Yin's 'Lotus Picking Scroll' from the Ming Dynasty, a masterpiece combining poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Tang Yin used the mogu (boneless) technique with light ink washes and generous blank spaces to evoke a lakeside scene as summer heat fades and autumn approaches. This is paired with a cursive script version of the 'Lotus Picking Song' by Wen Peng (son of Wen Zhengming), creating a harmonious dialogue between image and text. This scroll was among the treasured pieces repeatedly enjoyed by Emperor Qianlong during his summer retreats at the Chengde Mountain Resort.

Chang Chih-kuang, Assistant Researcher from the Department of Antiquities, added that the 'Cooling Through the Ages' exhibition also features the Northern Song Dynasty national treasure 'Ding Ware White Porcelain Pillow in the Form of a Child.' With its adorable design and cool-to-the-touch ceramic surface, it served as an ideal summer sleeping aid in ancient times and is well worth viewing in person.

Another summer-themed exhibition, 'Xiao Xia: Summer Imagery in Painting and Calligraphy,' showcases Feng Dayou’s Song Dynasty national treasure 'Lotus Breeze over the Imperial Pond.' Curator Tsai noted the painting’s meticulous realism, depicting a vibrant summer scene with lotus blossoms swaying in the breeze, duckweed covering the water, waterfowl gliding peacefully, and butterflies and swallows dancing through the air.

Wang Chien-yu, Assistant Researcher at the Southern Branch and curator of the 'Calligraphy of Mistakes' exhibition, explained that the exhibition uses 'mistakes' as a lens to emphasize that 'only with errors can a work be truly authentic.' These imperfections reveal the writer’s real-time thoughts and emotions. The exhibition is divided into four sections: 'Mistaken but Not Wrong,' 'Aware of Error and Able to Correct,' 'Standards Across Eras,' and 'Beautifully Mistaken.'

The Southern Branch also announced that the Qing Dynasty's famous 'Meat-shaped Stone' will be displayed alongside these three special exhibitions until September. Visitors are encouraged to seize this limited-time opportunity. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150616