Celadon Study, Taipei

Click the above image to see more Historic Japanese Examples from "Ambient Green Flow" at the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramic Museum online.

Because I am working on a design project incorporating historic Chinese Guan Ware (in conjucntion with WuXing Studio), in which the crackle effect of certain celadon glazes is a key element, I've tuned into some of the currently available celadon glaze learning experience gracing Taipei.  There are two that are fabulous: 1. New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, "Ambient Green Flow"  (11/10/2011 - 3/4/2012 hurry - don't miss it!) ; and, National Palace Museum, "Obtaining Refined Enjoyment: The Qianlong Emperor's Taste in Ceramics" (11/1/2011 - 9/30/2012)  Both exhibit rich and meaningful examples of celadon wares.  

From "Ambient Green Flow" exhibition at New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan Contemporary Art Section; click the image above to see more.

"Ambient Green Flow" is particularly interesting as it shows both historic and contemporary art works.  Furthermore, it exhibits the works by country, Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan.  The presentation of Taiwan's contemporary ceramic works as separate and distinct from that of China does not go un-noted.  One of the richest aspects of this exhibition is the accompanying website, which, for many who are unable to attend the actual exhibition, gives a thorough history, technical explanation, and profile of both the works included and their backgrounds. I cannot even begin to explain to you the plethora of information available there, you must click the link above and explore for yourself.  Get a snack, a cup of coffee and a comfortable chair first, you'll be entranced. I commend the museum on their ability to present a satisfying and educational exhibition complete in both Mandarin and English.  As opposed to other organizations who seem to be unable to proofread their English translations before publishing everything from informational tags to essays that support their exhibitions, the Yingge Museum has this nailed.  Bravo for flawless translating.  For those lovers of sea-foam hues and jade-like translucency, this is the show for you.  Go see it, you will be inspired.  

Click the image above to go to the NPM website and learn more about these beautiful celadon-glazed objects.

For those who enjoy great non-fiction, or are hard-core history buffs, go to the Palace Museum (or to its website if you can't be there in person) and learn about the Emperor's fascination with that blue-green milky hue and the poetics that define its importance.  The Palace's website also is not to be missed before or after experiencing the exhibit.  It give images of the undersides of the works, among other visual candy, not available to your eyes in "real life."