Posted on 29 November 2024
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Han Pao-Teh, a towering figure in Taiwan's architectural history. In remembrance of his contributions, a series of exhibitions have been launched across the island, with the National Taiwan Museum (NTM) presenting "The Architecture of Han Pao-Teh" as one of them. On display in the NTM's Main Building Corridor Gallery on the 2nd floor until 23 February 2025, the exhibition features 13 of the late architect’s architectural models, rare photographs, blueprints, and interviews. It offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Han’s design philosophy and highlights his significant role in Taiwan’s architectural culture.
“It is my honor as an architect to partake in this series of events celebrating Han Pao-Teh’s legacy,” said Chen Teng-Chin, Director of the NTM, as he kicked off the event with personal reflections. He emphasized how architecture intersects with various fields and impacts lives, recognizing Han’s enduring influence and inspiration.
Director Chen drew attention to Han’s strong connection with the NTM, noting that the restoration of heritage sites at the NTM's Main Building was in fact carried out based on Han’s plans. The upcoming Architecture and Cultural Center, also set to be housed within the NTM’s Railway Department Park, has been collecting architectural drawings by post-war architects since 2008. It is now home to over 6,200 pieces of Han’s architectural drawings and photos.
Han’s daughter, Karen Han, shared that she invited her family and friends to Taiwan for the exhibition opening. As their travels took them around Taiwan, they encountered traces of her father’s work at every turn. With the exhibition shedding light on why her father was always busy during her childhood days, Karen Han expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and all the organizations that played a part in honoring his vision.
The exhibition, titled “Architecture of Han Pao-Teh”, is in essence the form, color, and texture of beauty. Centered around Han’s belief that “the beauty of architecture should be enjoyed by all", it captures four main themes: “Not Just an Architect”, “Cultural Preservation and Research”, “The Right Geometric Form”, and “Architecture for the Greater Good”.
The exhibition also brings together 14 of Han Pao-Teh's most significant architectural works from the 1960s to the 1990s. In addition to landmarks like the Kaohsiung Gospel Village, the Land Bank of Taiwan (Chungli Branch), and the Luoshao Villa in Hualien, iconic buildings at Tunghai University, including the Audio-Visual Building and Department of Architecture, along with youth activity centers from across Taiwan and the Changhua County Cultural Center, are on exhibit. Han’s brainchildren also comprise the Academia Sinica’s Institute of Ethnology, The Chinese-style One Nanyuan Land of Retreat and Wellness in Hsinchu, and the Tainan National University of the Arts. Visitors will gain insight into Han’s lasting contributions to cultural heritage, including his restoration efforts in the 1990s on prominent sites like the Taiwan Provincial Museum and the Kangyo Bank of Japan, where the NTM now stands.
Following in the footsteps of Han's advocacy for everyday aesthetics, the NTM is hosting this exhibition to promote architectural beauty and cultural education. It aims to spark public interest in architecture, as well as in the craftsmanship and design philosophy behind it. Young people are encouraged to engage with architecture and reconsider the relationship between humanity and the environment.
In attendance at the opening ceremony of the special exhibition were Professor Lee Chien-Lang from the Graduate School of Arts Management and Cultural Policy at the National Taiwan University of the Arts, Professor Yen Ya-Ning from China University of Technology’s Department of Architecture, together with retired professors Kuo Chao-Lee (formerly of the Graduate Institute of Urban Planning at National Taipei University) and Kwan Hwa-San (formerly of the Department of Architecture at Tunghai University). The group gathered for a lively conversation on Han’s architectural contributions and their profound significance in the field.
The 10th anniversary of Han's passing is being commemorated through multiple installments all over Taiwan, with the National Museum of History presenting the “World of Calligraphy Art: Han Pao-Teh's Modern Expression” exhibition, the National Museum of Natural Science showcasing the “AI x 3D NMNS’ Visionary Han Pao-Teh Online Archival Memorial” exhibition, Tainan National University of the Arts hosting the “Cross-disciplinary Innovation: 2024 International Museum Directors Forum”, and the Museum of World Religions featuring the “Han’s Architectural Highlights: A View Through His Eyes” exhibition. These events collectively afford a comprehensive look at the evolution of post-war modern architecture in Taiwan and its cultural significance.
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Translator: 陳碧璇/NTU-Graduate Program of Translation and Interpretation (NTU GPTI)
Editor: Phaedra Fang/ National Taiwan Museum