Honoring National Treasure Han Pao-teh: Museum of World Religions Launches the "Highlights by Mr. Han" Special Exhibition
Han Pao-teh, hailed as the "pioneer of modern architectural thought in Taiwan," was not only a prominent figure in the field of architecture but also deeply influential in the realms of culture, arts, and museums. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of its founding director’s passing, the Museum of World Religions (MWR) is hosting a special exhibition titled "Highlights by Mr. Han: Architecture Through His Perspective" from today until December 29. The exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience, transporting them to various religious sacred sites to appreciate the artistic value of religious architecture and the spiritual inspiration that faith brings.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the MWR, National Museum of History, National Museum of Natural Science, Han Pao-teh Memorial Hall at Tainan National University of the Arts, and the National Taiwan Museum, jointly presents the "10th Anniversary Memorial Exhibition for Director Han Pao-teh." This cross-disciplinary tribute honors the legacy of Han, regarded as a national treasure. The MWR, located in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, has curated a special exhibition featuring ten religious architecture models, archival footage, and a timeline. These elements vividly recreate Han's vision and philosophy during his tenure as the museum’s founding director.
Venerable Hsin Tao, the founding abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM) and the founder of the MWR, upheld the principles of "respecting every faith, embracing every ethnicity, and cherishing every life." After more than a decade of preparation, the museum officially opened on November 9, 2001. In 2002, Venerable Hsin Tao invited Mr. Han to serve as the museum's first director, and the two became close friends. The calligraphy for the LJM Founding Hall was created by Han Pao-teh.
"Religious architecture is the most direct medium for understanding the spirit of religion." Han proposed the concept of a religious architecture exhibition. The works were crafted by the artistic team of sculptor Lin Chien-cheng, while the display and lighting design for this area were created by Yao Ren-xi and Yao Ren-gong. In 2003, the museum curated its first thematic exhibition, Virtual Sacred Space: Miniatures of World Religious Architecture, which combined religious spirit with architectural art. Through models, the exhibition captured the essence of religious architecture, illustrating the extraordinary "sacred spaces" shaped by religious teachings. The exhibition was highly acclaimed and became a permanent feature of the Museum.
Director of the MWR Ma You-chuan expressed that this special exhibition weaves together Han Pao-teh's years at the museum and the creation of the Religious Architecture Model Exhibition. Through Mr. Han's perspective, the exhibition aims to help more people understand the profound significance of religious architecture. By showcasing models, it allows audiences to grasp how religious architecture serves as a tangible expression of faith in a relaxed atmosphere, while also encouraging a renewed reflection on the core values of belief.
The exhibition features ten meticulously crafted models of religious architecture, ranging from the Gothic Chartres Cathedral to the Hindu Golden Temple, presented at scales of 1:30 or 1:50. These models allow viewers to step away from the traditional perspective of looking up in awe and instead explore the architectural layouts and intricate details. Ingeniously, miniature cameras inside the models project images onto screens, simulating the perspective and sensory experience of entering these sacred structures. This immersive experience gives visitors the feeling of stepping into the sanctuaries, showcasing the harmonious interplay between architectural artistry and the soul of faith. It is both a visual and spiritual feast and a heartfelt tribute to Director Han Pao-teh.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the MWR, National Museum of History, National Museum of Natural Science, Han Pao-teh Memorial Hall at Tainan National University of the Arts, and the National Taiwan Museum, jointly presents the "10th Anniversary Memorial Exhibition for Director Han Pao-teh." This cross-disciplinary tribute honors the legacy of Han, regarded as a national treasure. The MWR, located in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, has curated a special exhibition featuring ten religious architecture models, archival footage, and a timeline. These elements vividly recreate Han's vision and philosophy during his tenure as the museum’s founding director.
Venerable Hsin Tao, the founding abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM) and the founder of the MWR, upheld the principles of "respecting every faith, embracing every ethnicity, and cherishing every life." After more than a decade of preparation, the museum officially opened on November 9, 2001. In 2002, Venerable Hsin Tao invited Mr. Han to serve as the museum's first director, and the two became close friends. The calligraphy for the LJM Founding Hall was created by Han Pao-teh.
"Religious architecture is the most direct medium for understanding the spirit of religion." Han proposed the concept of a religious architecture exhibition. The works were crafted by the artistic team of sculptor Lin Chien-cheng, while the display and lighting design for this area were created by Yao Ren-xi and Yao Ren-gong. In 2003, the museum curated its first thematic exhibition, Virtual Sacred Space: Miniatures of World Religious Architecture, which combined religious spirit with architectural art. Through models, the exhibition captured the essence of religious architecture, illustrating the extraordinary "sacred spaces" shaped by religious teachings. The exhibition was highly acclaimed and became a permanent feature of the Museum.
Director of the MWR Ma You-chuan expressed that this special exhibition weaves together Han Pao-teh's years at the museum and the creation of the Religious Architecture Model Exhibition. Through Mr. Han's perspective, the exhibition aims to help more people understand the profound significance of religious architecture. By showcasing models, it allows audiences to grasp how religious architecture serves as a tangible expression of faith in a relaxed atmosphere, while also encouraging a renewed reflection on the core values of belief.
The exhibition features ten meticulously crafted models of religious architecture, ranging from the Gothic Chartres Cathedral to the Hindu Golden Temple, presented at scales of 1:30 or 1:50. These models allow viewers to step away from the traditional perspective of looking up in awe and instead explore the architectural layouts and intricate details. Ingeniously, miniature cameras inside the models project images onto screens, simulating the perspective and sensory experience of entering these sacred structures. This immersive experience gives visitors the feeling of stepping into the sanctuaries, showcasing the harmonious interplay between architectural artistry and the soul of faith. It is both a visual and spiritual feast and a heartfelt tribute to Director Han Pao-teh.