This exhibition catalogue of the Special Exhibition Betwixt Reality and Illusion: Special Exhibition of Jades from the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty in the Collection of the National Palace Museum aims to refresh people’s memory about magnificent jade art. Approximately 1800–2500 years ago, incredibly dynamic illusory art unbeknownst to the public had been created. Accordingly, this exhibition catalogue introduces said art to readers so that they can become aficionados of said art, understand the creativity and skills of its master craftsmen, and be able to evaluate the creativity of such art.
This exhibition catalogue adopts the perspective of visual psychology to investigate the causes of dynamism, which are subsequently used to analyze the visual techniques employed to fabricate jade artifacts. Additionally, the general theory of relativity is utilized to explore whether our visual senses are real or illusionary. Thus, this exhibition catalogue touches on the subjects of jade art as well as art "creators" and "viewers", that is, people such as you and me.
2019 was the 100th anniversary since the verification of the general theory of relativity. By curating this special exhibition in 2018 and publishing this exhibition catalogue in 2020, the National Palace Museum wishes to pay tribute to great artists and scientists and hopes to expand readers’ knowledge of the achievements of human civilization.