Nearly transparent gold-woven saris and Indian textiles set with pearls and gemstones are appearing together in Chiayi County. The NPM Southern Branch's new exhibition, "Glimmers of Woven Light", presents rare weaving techniques and the movement of myths and theater across Asia.
A centerpiece is an Albanian women's robe dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. Its burgundy velvet, broad gold scrollwork and decorations around the collar, cuffs and hem reflect Ottoman-era formal dress.
Bengali cotton gauze incorporates gold, white and gray weft threads, while Indian sari fragments form foliage with pearls, rubies and emeralds. A double-lion motif on an Indonesian beaded bag resembles the Dutch East India Company's emblem, showing foreign influence on local crafts.
An Indian ritual hanging depicting the "Ramayana" once used flickering candlelight to create a theatrical effect. Seven glove-puppet costumes on loan from the National Taiwan Museum place Hanuman alongside Sun Wukong from "Journey to the West", recreating the atmosphere of a traditional stage.
The exhibition is presented in Gallery S304. The first rotation runs through November 1, and the second from December 5 to March 7, 2027. Through August 30, families can also join an art challenge and watch water shows.
