In order to promote education and research as well as to encourage mutual exchange, the National Taiwan University and the University Museum, the University of Tokyo (National University Corporation), have initiated a series of exhibitions organized under the auspices of both institutions, with the National Taiwan University Library Atrium as the main exhibition venue.
After the first exhibition "ANTHROPOMETRIA -- Mode & Science," which was held over three months starting in mid-May, the present exhibition mainly focuses on the forms of natural and artificial things, and aims at exemplifying their considerable varieties. In fact, the world of forms is diverse and undergoes numerous transformations. This is true of animals, plants or minerals constituting the natural world, and instruments or aesthetic objects produced by human beings. When we take a new look at them, we are able to discover forms unnoticed before and may be surprised at the many relationships among them.
By adopting a given form - whether it be a circle, a sphere, a triangle, a square, a cube, a polygon, a polyhedron, a spindle or a streamline - the matter in the universe makes its intrinsic energy visible to the human eye. Such energy is then perceived as a beautiful force inherent to its particular form. In other words, form is force. It is only by adopting a particular form that the matter manifests its intrinsic energy. We hope to turn viewers’ attention to forms and their inherent force. The relationship between objects goes beyond nature, cultures, categories, their composition or source.
Forms cannot be captured by language. They are only perceivable to the eye. This is why we have kept the descriptions of each exhibit as short as possible. The familiarities, correlations and formal analogies between forms are left to each visitor’s perception and imagination. In this respect, the present project greatly differs from the past ones: it is an exhibition dedicated to the exploration of forms.
We are particularly pleased to be able to present such an experimental exhibition, on the basis of the collaboration between the National Taiwan University and the University of Tokyo staff. Our words of deep gratitude go to each of our partners, without whom the present exhibition would not be possible.

Credit
The University of Tokyo Mobilemuseum “Forms and Forces: morpho-diversities”
At the National Taiwan University Atrium, from November 23, 2011 to March 18, 2012
Organized by: The National Taiwan University + The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
Produced by: Lin Kuang-Mei (NTU) + Yoshiaki Nishino (UMUT)
Space and Graphic Design by: UMUT works (Yoshiaki Nishino + Hiroyuki Sekioka)
Supported by KOWA REAL ESTATE


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The University of Tokyo Mobilemuseum "FORMS and FORCES: morpho-diversities"