The greatest entertainment of the exhibition comes from a copper wash basin. If you can find an experienced person ask for a demonstration. The Chinese wrote on materials ranging from bamboo sticks strung together and animal bones to bamboo paper. One can watch a demonstration of bamboo paper manufacture as well as an exhibit telling the history of Chinese calligraphy. A program running on a cluster of Apple computers underlines the differences between Western phonetics and the Chinese pictographs.
Guides are available to provide information on most of the displays of craftmanship.
Those with yellow ribbons below their badges speak Chinese and act as interpreters between visitors and the artisans at work. The descriptions provided on panels throughout the exhibition are also a major asset. Look at other stories in this issue , send us a comment , or return to our home page . Copyright 1985 by The Tech. All rights reserved.