"The World of the Heavenly Khan-Treasures of the Tang Dynasty" (Time: 4/20-7/21)

"The World of the Heavenly Khan" exhibit created quite a stir when it hit Taipei's National Palace Museum at the end of April. The exhibit is already in the final stretch, and with summer already here, now is the time to seize the opportunity to take it all in. Boasting a total of over 200 Tang-era pieces that range from tricolor glazed pottery, ceramics, gold and silver works, glassware, and Buddhist relics, the exhibit assembles prized pieces from 12 museums in the mainland's Shaanxi province. This is the most exhaustive and diverse single-dynasty exhibit to come along in recent years, and is something you don't want to pass up.

The rise of the Tang ushered in an age of strength and prosperity during which China maintained ties with over 70 different foreign political entities. Most of the relics in the exhibit were unearthed at temples and imperial tombs near the Tang capital of Chang'an (contemporary Xi'an), of which many are connected with the Famen Temple. The contents of the exhibit can be divided into four categories. First are the splendid and ornate gold and silver pieces of the Tang dynasty royal family, followed by the tricolor glaze pottery and ceramic pieces that were used by the ordinary folk of that time. Then there are the Buddhist and Taoist statues that evoke the Tang's flourishing and diverse religious environment. Finally, there are the highly sacred Buddhist relics from Famen Temple.

Among the relics from Famen Temple, which is located in Fufeng County in Shaanxi Province, is a silver censer with gilded twin bee designs set in floral circlets. The royal family offered this exceptional item as an offering, though it had previously functioned as a scent container, or also as a decorative piece to hang upon a sedan chair. Another standout is a gilded bronze dragon that was unearthed from the grassy slopes of the Xi'an region. Originally interred with the body of an important personage, the figurine's vivid depiction of a solitary dragon in flight is truly eye-catching; as a result, the dragon has become the representative image of the exhibit.

Colorful gold and silver pieces are another stunning aspect of the exhibit, of which two intricate and ornate works are especially noteworthy. First is a silver flask with a gilded design of horse holding a cup in its mouth, a piece that transforms the firmness of precious metals into a decorative surface. Equally impressive is a silver stem cup that reveals a gilded hunting scene.

Many of the works on display are considered to be national treasures in the mainland; indeed, they are recognized as consummate works of art by experts in the international community, as well. This exhibit offers the opportunity to learn not only about the cosmopolitan nature of the Tang dynasty and its capital, Chang'an, but also allows us to recognize the Tang as the most glorious of ages, in terms of art, culture, Buddhism, and military and economic strength.

"Maya: Mysteries in the Jungle" (Time: National Museum of History, Taipei, 5/3-7/31; Taiwan Museum of Art, Taichung, 8/17-10/20)

Ensconced deep within the heart of the rainforest, the story of Mayan civilization is still shrouded in mystery.

The Mayan civilization produced their own pictographic writing system, studied astronomy, calendar methods, and mathematics. Their cities were consummately designed and they applied themselves wholeheartedly to creating art and architectural wonders such as pyramids and temples. Some time between 800 and 925, however, many thriving Mayan city-states vanished into the uncouth jungle, only to be excavated one after another at the end of the 19th century.

This 155-piece exhibit is being shown courtesy of the Guatemalan National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Guatemala could be described as the cradle of the Mayan civilization. Unlike the austere limestone topology surrounding Mayan settlements in Mexico, many of the Mayan remains in Guatemala are buried within lush tropical forests. Mayan culture fused human culture with the natural environment, achieving tremendous prosperity that can be seen today in the remains of colossal pyramids, temples, sport arenas, and in the network of roads that connected them all. These achievements reflect the golden age of Mayan Culture.

The Mayans used architecture, sculpture, painting, weaving, and other creative arts as a means to bring themselves closer to God. This exhibition includes colorfully ornate pottery, delicate jade, samples of the Mayans' exotic writing system, a diverse array of uniquely shaped incense burners, and complex relief tombstone sculptures. It is truly a feast for the eyes. The event's planning committee, from the National History Museum, has divided the exhibit into five sections: "The Enigmatic Jungle," "Amazing Discoveries," "Mysterious Cities," "Strange World," and "Eternal Wisdom." These five sections introduce Mayan geography, cultural background, philosophy of life, and aesthetic values. Moreover, the committee has arranged for lectures and parent-child events. Outside the exhibit, concession stands are stocked with miniatures of exhibit highlights, thus combining learning and fun. Finally, the exhibit adopts the same system as world-renowned museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Overall, the exhibit is sure to leave a lasting impression; having the secrets of the Maya revealed before your very eyes is sure to be an enriching experience.

"The Mystical Arts of Tibet-Featuring Personal Sacred Objects of H.H. the Dalai Lama" (Time: 7/6-10/6)

The Museum of World Religions, opened last November, will feature "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" as its inaugural exhibition. On display are 30 Tangka paintings, Buddhist statues, ceremonial instruments, and robes, all of which were personally selected by the Dalai Lama; 33 of the display pieces are sacred objects that survived a fire at the ancient Drepung Loseling Monastery, which at one point served as the Dalai Lama's residence before he was exiled; finally, there are 17 rare and valuable Tibetan Buddhist artifacts that were selected from the host collection at the Museum of World Religions.

One of the display pieces, a statue of the four-armed Avalokiteshvara, comes from the personal collection of the 14th Dalai Lama. The four-armed Avalokiteshvara is one of 108 incarnations of Avalokiteshvara. The Tibetan people believe that all Dalai Lamas are incarnations of the four-armed Avalokiteshvara. The Tangka painting of Heruga Chakrasamvara is pricelessly valuable, as well. In Tibetan religion, Heruga is the embodiment of great power through which the Buddha displays his rage towards the ignorant and unenlightened. The property of the 13th Dalai Lama, this Tangka has on its reverse side a seal in the shape of a handprint, which was made from a saffron dye. Another piece is the Umbrella of Royal Majesty, which was taken from the museum's in-house collections. One of only four in the entire world, it boasts superb craftsmanship and resplendent colors; legend has it that it belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama.

The objects from the Dalai Lama's personal collection as well as those from the North Indian Monastery of Drepung Loseling began a world tour in 1996 in the United States. After passing through 16 cities in both the US and Canada, where they were universally praised and admired, this exhibit, "The Mystical Arts of Tibet," is their final stop, as well as the only stop in Asia.

Han Pao-teh, the curator of The Museum of World Religions, observes that this exhibit is remarkable for the sacredness, value, artistry and spirituality of the artifacts displayed.

These exhibitions combine intellect and artistry, East and West, past and present. Taking advantage of these splendid events can provide blessed relief from the summer heat. Of course, don't forget about the year-round exhibits at the Palace Museum and the Museum of World Religions as well as the paintings, sculptures, art exhibitions in the National Museum of History. For further information, see www.npm.gov.tw (National Palace Museum), www.nmh.gov.tw (National Museum of History), and www.mwr. org.tw (Museum of World Religions.)

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This silver-gilt incense burner features a resting turtle, and is inlaid with silver lotuses. It shows the Tang dynasty predilection for fusing East and West. (photo by Hsueh Chi-kuang)

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This glazed ceramic figurine depicts a butterfly and an owl, signifying warfare and the god of rain. (courtesy of the National Museum of History)

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This Tangka painting of Heruga Chakrasamvara belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama. (courtesy of the Museum of World Religions)