The Architectural Decoration of Traditional Academies－The Exampleof Taichung City Huanghsi Academy

• Main Authors: WANG.CHENG-KANG, 王政綱
• Other Authors: WU.ZHEN-YUE
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/01060894240765820392

碩士 === 大葉大學 === 設計暨藝術學院碩士在職專班 === 100 === There were more than sixty traditional academies in Taiwan during Qing Dynasty’s 212 years of rule. There are seventeen existing now since the Japanese occupation and the retrocession of Taiwan by the government of the Republic of China. Among these academies, only eleven of them are approved as traditional monument academies by the Council for Cultural Affairs Cultural Assets Management Office. Huangsi Academy in Dadu District is not only one of them, but also the only existing monument Academy in Taichung City. Huangsi Academy was founded by Dadu’s rich business gentry who raised funds for a school field. Regardless of design or construction techniques being very sophisticated, Huangsi Academy is a very extraordinary work among Taiwan's many cultural and educational constructions from the late Qing Dynasty period, under Emperor Tongzhi and Daoguang. With its high artistic value, Huangsi Academy is an important cultural asset in the Dadu area. This study uses literature analysis and a field survey to explore the architectural history and art deco aesthetics of Huangsi Academy. The results are as follows: Regardless of the craftsman's selection, construction material, structure and carving, they are all extremely delicate and involve careful thought. It also shows excellent performance of the overall structural mechanics and unveils the boldness and innovation in many places. Huangsi Academy is praised by several experts and scholars to be the most outstanding architecture of the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan due to its leading role of the magnificent brick masterpiece in terms of the architectural aesthetics. The combination of the roof is rich and spectacular, the ridge decorated with classic exquisiteness. The skilled timber frame technique presents the innovative tedious and meticulous carvings. The clean and concise cutting lines make the stone works simple but elegant. The sophisticated calligraphy and paintings are decent and refined. The overall artistic expression of Huangsi Academy is equally praised. Up until now, due to the joint efforts of all involved, Huangsi Academy has been able to have its rebirth from the ruins and to reproduce its elegance and prime dating back 100 years. It is hoped that this research will remind the government to fulfill the responsibilities of management and maintenance, to combine the prevailing wave of cultural and leisure travel and to exert creativity and ingenuity promoting the architectural aesthetics of Huangsi Academy. By bringing the monument new life, Dadu District can also activate local industry and move towards revitalization.