After a two-month recess from a renovation project, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is reopening this Wednesday with a more appealing and friendly look.
Talking about the new face the museum is putting on, director Lin Man-lee (
The NT$20 million makeover was primarily aimed at installing fireproof facilities, such as new ceilings, floors and walls. Private donations were added in to help soften the cold and aloof feeling of the museum and provide better service to visitors with clear signs and guides in and out of the museum.
TFAM, frequented by 500,000 people per year, has been known for the quality of exhibitions it brings to the public. During Lin's four years presiding over the museum, it has been able to maintain its leadership in setting trends, exploring new ideas of exhibiting, and actively involving itself in arts festivals of international scope.
"We were very keen on presenting original and interesting art with high standards, and now we also want to provide better service, adding a more human touch and a feeling of affinity," said Lin, who headed the museum for the high profile Vienna Bienalle in 1995 and the International Taipei Bienalle of 1998.
The renovation is based on suggestions from the public over the years. One significant change is that from now on, visitors do not have to buy tickets to get into the museum lobby.
Access to the large museum hall on the first floor is free so that people can get information about exhibitions, buy posters from the newly opened gift shops, or just hang around.
"Release the space to the public is the first step for the museum that seeks a warm and welcoming ambience," said the designer, Ray Chen (
The vision he shares with the museum is that a successful museum should also be a city landmark, a cultural symbol, a place for friends to meet and for strangers to gather. Such is the case with New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art or The Louvre in Paris. TFAM also wants to be seen as an icon.
With the coming of the Taipei Bienalle 2000 in September, the museum's efforts will pay off with artists and visitors from all over the world. However, the museum's effort to stay competitive by becoming more attractive and providing better services weren't complete with yesterday's opening.
A shortage of funds has caused a delay in the makeover of its facade, stalling the completion of an outdoor coffee shop and a layered water cascade that were part of the original design and which will greatly enhance the feeling of the museum being free, casual and romantic. It will take a couple of years to realize that, Lin said, depending on fundraising.
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