By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The “Beauty of Shells” special exhibition, which was previously showcased at the Chiayi Municipal Museum and drew over 50,000 visitors, will move to the Tainan Cailiao Fossil Museum from now until September 23. It includes various themes such as “The Beauty of Shells in Nature,” “The Beauty of Shells in Human Culture,” “Special Mollusks – Giant, Strange, Rare, and Living Fossils,” “3D Live Footage of Dragon Palace Shells,” “The Sound of the Ocean – Listening to Shells,” and “Shell Touch Experience Zone.” With over 300 exhibits on display, residents in southern Taiwan will have the opportunity to learn about the role mollusks play in the ecosystem.
This “Beauty of Shells” exhibition displays over 300 specimens, and some areas allow visitors to touch and experience them firsthand. (Photo provided by National Taiwan Museum)
Fang Jian-neng, deputy researcher of the Collection Management Division at the National Taiwan Museum, said that among mollusks, the most famous living fossils are the nautilus and the dragon palace volute, both of which have long evolutionary histories. Since the Mesozoic era, they have left numerous fossils in strata. In the “Living Fossils” section, beautifully preserved specimens from the museum’s collection will be on display. Meanwhile, the “The Beauty of Shells in Nature” section will present the elegance of shells through sub-themes such as their graceful spiral shapes, beautiful symmetrical forms, colorful patterns, intricately carved surfaces, and noble pearly luster. The “The Beauty of Shells in Human Culture” section will introduce how mollusks have played a significant role in human culture throughout history, including in food, clothing, housing, religious beliefs, and arts and crafts. It also features various art designs and craftworks created using shells, such as the sacred conch and the trumpet shell from Indian mythology and legends.
The famous living fossil, the “nautilus,” showcases beautiful lines and patterns shaped by a long process of evolution. (Photo provided by National Taiwan Museum)
In conjunction with this touring exhibition, related educational outreach activities will also be held, including the “Beauty of Shells Thematic Lecture + Beautiful Creations DIY Workshop,” the “Chen Chunmu Academic Lecture – Summer Fossil Exploration Camp,” and “Themed Fossil Package School Excursions.” For details, please call Ms. Kuo at 06-573-1174.
The Beauty of Shells
Date: Now until September 23
Venue: Tainan Cailiao Fossil Museum
Website: fossil.tnc.gov.tw
● Related Reading: Dinosaur Research Hotspot Moon Valley – Fossils Come to Taiwan to Recreate the Triassic Period
http://goo.gl/wd5Ny