Countdown to the End of the World at Taichung’s National Museum of Natural Science on Dec. 21

By MOOK Travel & Living Chen Kuan-hsin | Compiled & Reported

 

With Dec. 21 approaching, whether the Mayan prophecy of the apocalypse will come true remains unknown. However, events themed around the end of the world—whether by restaurants or exhibition halls—are popping up one after another. The National Museum of Natural Science, Delta Electronics Foundation for Culture and Education, and Chunghwa Telecom are jointly hosting the "End of the World and Rebirth" series of events from Dec. 20 to 22. These include the “Temple. New Vision – Maya Temple Facade Projection Animation Design Competition,” the “2012 End of the World Clock Countdown to Zero Event,” and the “End of the World and Rebirth” concert. These exciting activities combine scientific knowledge, technological creativity, music, art, and literary creation to invite the public to lift the veil on apocalyptic myths and experience the essence of the end-of-the-world prophecy.

To help dispel public doubts through historical research and scientific discoveries, the museum's currently exhibited "Catastrophe and Rebirth – The 2012 End of the World Special Exhibition" explores the myth of the "end of the world" from diverse perspectives such as astronomy, history, mythology, and science. A nine-meter-tall replica of the Maya cultural landmark “Chichen Itza Temple” has been reconstructed in the oval plaza. The “End of the World Clock” atop the temple ticks ever closer to 2:00 PM on Dec. 21—the moment considered the midnight of the apocalypse in Central American Mayan culture. The “2012 End of the World Clock Countdown to Zero Event” will take place in front of the Chichen Itza Temple starting at 1:30 PM on Dec. 21. Museum Director Sun Wei-hsin will join the audience in counting down to zero, welcoming the prophesied end of the world in sync with Mayan culture.

 

Later that evening at 6:30 PM, there will also be the “Temple. New Vision – Maya Temple Facade Projection Animation Design Competition” and the “End of the World and Rebirth” concert. In the “Temple. New Vision – Maya Temple Facade Projection Animation Design Competition,” animations exploring themes of culture and the environment will be created. The semifinals held at the museum on the evening of Dec. 20 will have a panel of judges comprising professionals and museum cardholders select the winning teams. Their works will be spectacularly projected onto the museum’s Maya Temple on the evening of Dec. 21. Additionally, well-known animation production companies will also participate as demonstration performers, giving the Maya Temple a fresh new look and presenting ultimate visual aesthetics. The public can also preview these semifinalist works on YouTube starting now.

 

In addition, the museum will open free entry to the public from the Human Cultures Hall on Xitun Road on the evening of Dec. 21. A 300-inch large screen will be set up in the entrance plaza, allowing the public to join in the countdown and enjoy the “Temple. New Vision – Maya Temple Facade Projection Animation Design Competition” and the “End of the World and Rebirth” concert. At 2:00 PM on Dec. 22, there will also be an end-of-the-world countdown event in front of the Maya Temple. For those who miss the projection competition, free admission to view the award-winning works will also be available starting at 6:00 PM on Dec. 22.

 

Citizens across the country can now watch the opening of the “2012 End of the World Special Exhibition” and the “Temple Light and Shadow Welcome Mid-Autumn” event via Chunghwa Telecom MOD, Hichannel, and Hami. On the day of the apocalypse, they can also use these three platforms to live stream all the event activities. Smartphone users can also experience the live broadcasts directly through the Hami Experience Channel. For more details on the events, visit: cal.nmns.edu.tw/NMNS_Cal/Detail_Ann.aspx?ANID=6323.

 

● Extended Reading: The Mayan Calendar Apocalypse Prophecy – Secrets of the Chichen Itza Temple at the National Museum of Natural Science

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