This section opens with the Kunyu Quantu (Great Universal Map), offering a glimpse of how knowledge of European natural history and zoological history spread in the Qing Court and how this information was interpreted. The augmented reality work, The Universal World of Ferdinand Verbiest, is also displayed here. This exhibition opens with reproductions of paintings from the National Palace Museum collections, and makes use of rare animal images in the Museum collections to highlight key aspects of the exhibition, such as rare birds and beasts offered in tribute, divine beasts that serve as auspicious symbols, animals depicted in their natural habitats, and observational art painted in rural settings.Through appreciation of the beast drawings exhibited, and by observing the fine details of composition and technique in animal paintings, it is possible to gain a glimpse of how the artistic aspiration of "expressing the spirit of objects," as described by Song painters, was achieved for these animal drawings. This section also includes a collaboration with the Hsinchu Zoo to provide a creative comparison of modern animals with the historical animal drawings from the Museum collections, thereby connecting ancient and modern perspectives.
Ferdinand Verbiest 's Kunyu Worldview New Media Art Installation
Ferdinand Verbiest's Kunyu Worldview New Media Art Installation utilizes modern augmented reality technology to reconstruct the 17th century worldview and enables the habitats of ancient creatures to reappear before us in the form of new media art. Visitors are able to use mobile devices to scan the globe before them and find out which animal will appear on the screen. Observe how these early depictions of familiar species are different from our present understanding. Pick up your mobile device and start globe-trotting in search of rare beasts!