Long queue outside the ACM museum
(worse than hello kiddy or TOTO queue??)
Yesterday, I made a trip down to the Asian Civiliasation Museum to visit The Kang Xi Emperor Exhibition. By the time I reached there, there is already a crowd queuing up to enter the museum because it is FOC since it was the international museum day on both 30 and 31 May 2009. Scary man… I queued for almost an hour before I get a chance to enter the exhibition hall.
As a brief introduction, Kang Xi (康熙) emperor is one of the China’s greatest rulers for the Qing dynasty (ruled from 1662 to 1722 with a total of 61 years). The exhibition showcases many interesting and unique artifacts which of Kang Xi emperor ranging from imperial robes and textiles, weapons and armour, paintings, astronomical and scientific instruments etc. Majority of the exhibits have come from the Forbidden City in Beijing (The Palace Museum) In the hall, I also found out that KangXi emperor has 24 sons and 14 daughters. Wah Kaoz…
Explanation on the protrait of KangXi Emperor
Inside the exhibition hall, I found that no photography is allowed for the visitors. Hai… Anyway, I continue to look carefully at the exhibits/artefects that are on display. Some interesting exhibits that I noticed include Kang Xi emperor’s surcoat with dragon medallions, Throne chair, yellow court robe patterned silk gauze with embroidery and brocaded trimmings, a pair of socks with dragons satin and embroidery.
Banners and poster
2 Photos taken secretly
Other interesting exhibits also include a long painting of the Kangxi Emperor’s southern inspection tour (scroll nine in a set of 12 hand scrolls), his 16th Birthday scroll, a set of geometrical model made of Nanmu (楠木 – superior & durable softwood, highly resistant to decay) for KangXi emperor to better grasp the mathematical principles.
Kang Xi Emperor's 16th Birthday scroll
The other amazing exhibit is the 12 digit calculator made of gilt copper. It consists of 2 main tiers: top are 12 discs in numbers in terms of 10, 100 and 1000 and below them are a set of interlocking gear. For it to work, a pin is inserted into 1 hole on circumference of a disc to turn and cause the gear below to rotate. The number on the disc will charge accordingly. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can also be performed on this calculator. The working principle is based on a calculating device inverted by French scientist Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662) which is made in Paris in 1642. (view the picture of the calculator in the picture below). It is really amazing of such an invention in the early days, but I think the calculator we are using now is better. Small and powerful. Haha
Brochures on the exhibits and event
For those of you who like to visit it, the exhibition is still ongoing till 14 June 2009. Below is the link for more details. Admission ticket is $8 for adult and if you are a passion card holder, you get 50% off discount.
Official ACM Website
Other websites
Other blogger who visited the exhibition (with photos secretly taken)
Below are the brochures that I took during the visit there in case some of you may like to know more but don’t have chance to visit it.
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Testing Testing...
2nd testing.
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