China's biggest museum is accepting online votes to help choose
its new logo.
The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, began its
search for a new design last June, and 2,788 submissions were
received from around the world by the closing date of September
30.
Six, short listed by designers, specialists and architects in an
appraisal meeting on January 19, were published on the museum's
website, www.dpm.org.cn, on
January 25 and visitors can vote for their favorite until February
15.
"It's important to have a logo to celebrate the museum's 80th
birthday, as it is one of the greatest ancient imperial palaces in
the world," said Feng Nai'en, from the museum's administration.
Prize money worth 80,000 yuan (US$9,760) is being offered by the
organizing committee.
"The active feedback from home and abroad has been beyond all
expectation," said Feng.
The majority of ideas have come from professional and amateur
designers living on the Chinese mainland, said Feng. "A clear focus
and impressive presentation with a good historical sense were
required."
The final result is expected to be revealed in March or April.
The winning design will be used in celebrations for the museum's
80th anniversary on October 10.
The Palace Museum was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
between 1406 and 1420. Covering an area of 720,000 square meters,
it accommodated two dozen or so emperors until 1924, when the
deposed Qing (1644-1911) Emperor Pu Yi was expelled from it.
(China Daily February 4, 2005)
