Therese in Taiwan: Taipei Fine Arts Museum 台北市立美術館

Not to say that all I do here is eat (which is really basically what I do, aside from studying of course *wink wink*), my friend and I went to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum last month. I suggested the place because I liked the exhibitions that were on display that time, and I wanted to see it for myself.

There were five exhibitions on display but I was only able to look at four: "Ai Weiwei absent," "Super Contemporary, Designed in London," "The Photographic Journey of a Maverick — Huang, Tse-Hsiu — 82-year-young," and "Night & Day – Exploring Arts Exhibition 2011."

Ai Weiwei absent (until January 29, 2012)

     I wanted to look at his works because of the uproar they are causing in China. Although I didn't understand a lot of his works (probably because I'm not part of the society he is targeting), I can say that there's a shocking feeling you would get from looking at his stuff.

Super Contemporary, Designed in London

     You could see how art (and culture) progressed in London, starting from the 50s all the way to the present times. It wasn't all that spectacular, because there was nothing really special about the items that were on display. The thing I liked most about this exhibit were the maps with post-it story notes - of how these designers made a name for themselves, how certain citizens lived, where you would shop for clothes, or drink a cup of coffee, etc. I liked how personal it felt.

The Photographic Journey of a Maverick — Huang, Tse-Hsiu — 82-year-young (until January 29, 2012)

     I liked this exhibit the most because his photos are wonderful! There were different rooms with certain themes - Yehliu, aboriginal tribes, artists, landscapes, etc.

Night & Day – Exploring Arts Exhibition 2011

     This was really meant for children (and their parents), because it was an interactive exhibit. However, I still decided to check it out. I liked the animated short video with the ocean as the setting place, showing how morning becomes evening, sun becomes moon, and so on and so forth.

Taking of photographs are not allowed inside, hence the lack of photos! :(

Tickets: 15 NT (~PhP 22.5) for students, 30 NT (~PhP 45) regular price 

Address: 181, ZhongShan N. Road, Sec. 3, Taipei 104, Taiwan

How to get there: Get off the MRT YuanShan station exit 1 捷運圓山站，出口1 (there are signs all over, so you will not get lost looking for the museum)

Operating hours: They're open from 9:30AM-5:30PM (and up to 8:30PM on Saturdays). They're closed on Mondays

Website: http://tfam.museum

Nicole's Museum Hopping: Yuchengco Museum + Rizal Coffee

Nicole's Museum Hopping: Yuchengco Museum
by Nicole


This year is about to end and a new one is about to start hence people are going to pen their to-do lists once again. As for me, I've started writing mine last month. One of the things listed: visit museums around the metro.

So it began. First stop is. . .  the Yuchengco Museum in RCBC Plaza, Makati City! HONESTLY, this is my second museum stop but I decided to share this one first :D

@ the Yuchengco Museum entrance

My humble camera died so most of the photos here are from my lovely friend (who's actually more like a sister :D).  So grateful she went with me! She also said she'll be joining me in my next museum trips so HOORAY to that! I am stoked!

The Yuchengco museum opened in September 2005. A pretty young museum but one of the best I've been to. It was created to house the art collection of businessman, diplomat Alfonso T. Yuchengco. You don't just see paintings and sculptures here but you can also read books. I just looove that this museum has a library in it! I spent a couple of hours reading some books from those shelves - España, Bound to Empire: The United States and the Philippines, and O.D. Corpuz' The Roots of the Filipino Nation.  If get rich, I would absolutely build something like this!

Library at the 4th floor
This is also the room that showcases a glimpse of Mr. Yuchengco's roots and his works.
You can also see paintings of the women associated with Jose Rizal here.

How do I go around a museum? The best way is to start from the very top - learned this from one of my favorite museums which I will be showing you guys soon. Take the elevator up to the top most floor then journey down by taking the stairs. Take the stairs - you'll get to see more stuff than taking the boring elevator :D

The Yuchengo Museum is currently hosting the Nothing to Declare exhibit. Nothing to Declare aims to contribute to the discourse on migration, the movement not just of people across borders, but also of forms and realities across time and space.

This one is one of the coolest in the exhibit! These eggs won't break even if you step on them. A metaphor for being strong and yet fragile.

 “The Easter Bunny—Just As Charming and Just As Fake” Ovoid/Void piece (2010)
 wherein the author invites the audience to walk on a ground
made of resin trays filled with resin eggs.
3rd Floor

Beside those eggs is this piece called "Suspended Garden." There are few ways on how to view this floating potato or pebble-looking recycled pulp pieces. One is to look at this from the top (just how this photo was taken). You can also lie down on that circular carpet (which is made of newspaper formed into strings). We did lie down and it was so cool! I didn't understand it but like what my friend told me, "you don't need to understand art. You just have to experience it."

Experiencing art
Tony Gonzales and Tes Pasola (Philippines) Suspended Garden Installation (recycled pulp), 2010
3rd Floor

Now down at the ground, you'll see a continuation of the Nothing to Declare exhibit, paintings by Juan Luna, Botong Francisco. . .

The Yuchengco museum joins the 150th year of Jose Rizal's birthday hence in almost every floor, there's something about Rizal. This one is, for me, the center of it all.

"Genius has no country" - Jose Rizal
A painting of Jose Rizal (center) by Juan Luna. The other two paintings are by Luna and Hidalgo
The paragraphs written on this wall are excerpts from Rizal's famous speech delivered in 1884 at Hotel Ingles, Madrid

Speaking of Rizal, here's my take home. I bought this limited edition Jose Rizal Blend from the Yuchengco Museum store. This is the most fragrant coffee I've ever smelled, hands down! The aroma is just addictive! I was so eager to drink this so we boiled this for breakfast ha ha! We don't have yet a coffee grinder at home that's why.

Php 250.00
A combination of Arabica and Robusta coffee grown in the Philippines

I had a blast in this museum! I can't wait to go back! I hope you'll get to visit this museum too. Entrance is only 100 pesos. Happy Christmas!  :)



Address and Telephone number
Yuchengco Museum
RCBC Plaza
Corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues
Makati City, Philippines 1200

Information: (632) 889 1234
Please note that the museum is at the courtyard of RCBC Plaza.


Museum hours
Monday to Saturday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday and on holidays