Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Feb 00:00

SBNPM holds exhibition on Taoist immortal Lu Dongbin

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum is holding an exhibition featuring calligraphy and artifacts relating to Lu Dongbin, one of the Taoism’s Eight Immortals, showcasing various interpretations of the immortals from sophisticated literary depictions to popular images of longevity and prosperity.   According to the SBNPM, the Lu Dongbin legend emerged in the early 11th century with accounts of his miraculous manifestations. His spiritual legacy encompasses both literary work and spiritual practice, including distinctive sword techniques for overcoming worldly desire and emotional attachment.   Titled “Tracing the Taoist Immortal Lu Dongbin in the NPM collection,” the exhibition’s most important piece is the transcription of verses relating to the immortal character by Dong Qichang (1555-1636). The scroll is a rendition of Lu’s poetry with a commentary, the SBNPM said, adding that Dong’s brushwork centers on controlled tip movements and fluid transitions, creating lines that possess both vigor and grace.   Through slightly asymmetrical, yet balanced character structures, expansive composition spacing and the dramatic interplay of ink and empty space, the work ultimately creates an ethereal and transcendent visual experience, the museum noted.   The SBNPM said that other highlights of the exhibition are objects decorated with images of the eight immortals, including a gourd-shaped vase in blue underglaze, a vase with polychrome decoration and a round carved-polychrome lacquer box. (YCH-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw