A Fountain of Apollo sculpture was unveiled on Saturday at the site of the Tainan Metropolitan Park Museum, which is scheduled to open in January.
The unveiling ceremony was presided over by Chi Mei Group founder Wen-lung (許文龍), Chi Mei Museum director Frank Liao (廖錦祥), Greater Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) and Bureau Francais de Taipei Director Olivier Richard.
The Chi Mei Museum, which is to manage the new facility, in 2008 commissioned French artist Gills Perrault to reproduce the Fountain of Apollo, which depicts the Greek sun god Apollo rising from the sea at daybreak in his four-horse chariot.
Photo: Lin Meng-ting, Taipei Times
The original sculpture was carved by French artist Jean-Baptiste Tuby (1635-1700) for the palace of Versailles.
Liao said it took three years for the mold to be made in France for the reproduction of the sculpture, and another three years to carve the marble in Italy, before arriving in Taiwan this year.
“The sculpture will greatly enhance the artistic environment of Tainan and Taiwan,” Liao said.
In his speech, Hsu said that growing up, he realized that artistic and cultural resources were scarce in southern Taiwan, and vowed then to establish a museum that would be accessible to everyone.
He said the Chi Mei Museum focuses mainly on animals, weaponry, works of art and instruments, which he said are easily accessible to the public.
Chi Mei Museum deputy director Liao Wan-ju (廖婉如) said Hsu wanted admission to the new facility to be free, but decided later to adopt a paid system that would require tickets to be ordered in advance.
However, admission to the Tainan Metropolitan Park Museum is to be free during January.
Ticket orders open next month.
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