APAH: Art of South & Southeast Asia

Ancient civilization – Indus River Confluence of religions Hinduism Buddhism Islam

Hinduism No founder Single divine, incomprehensible Brahman Known by many names to make concrete Brahma the Creator; Vishnu the preserver; Shiva, the destroyer Reincarnation – Karma Achieve union with Brahman Vedas and Upanishads are sacred texts. Bhagavad Gita – ethical behavior Hierarchical – Caste System

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama (c. 566 B.C.) Observed suffering – meditated & fasted – revelation The Four Noble Truths are the heart of Buddhism: All life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path Reincarnation – Karma Achieve union with universe – Nirvana

Great Stupa at Sanchi. Madhya Pradesh, . Buddhist; Maurya, late Sunga Dynasty. c. 300 B.C.E.– 100 C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone on dome. Stupa – circular burial mound Relics of the Buddha Buried inside Circumambulation (Clockwise) Connection with cosmos 3D mandalas Gates (Toranas) at cardinal points Processional capitals Yakshi figures Fertility Holding a mango tree Fenced square atop stupa sacred area of gods Points to the heavens (Axis Mundi) Connected to Buddhist monastery

Buddha. Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Gandharan. c. 400–800 C.E. (destroyed in 2001). Cut rock with plaster and polychrome paint. Largest Buddha sculptures Destroyed by Taliban 2001 Unknown origins Significant point on Silk Road Facilitated spread of Buddhism Cliff faced punctured by caves Worshippers circumambulated around the feet First documented by Chinese monk in 643

Lakshmana Temple. Khajuraho, India. Hindu, Chandella Dynasty. c. 930–950 C.E Sandstone. (A.K.A. – Vishvanatha Temple) Hindu temple complex Home for the gods on earth Central sacred space only for Brahmin priests Progression of increasing sacred spaces East-west axis Temple towers mimic Himalayan mountains and caves (Shiva’s home) Incorporated sexual imagery – erotic sculpture Importance of fertility and procreation of life Tantric teaching – unification with the divine

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja). Hindu; India (Tamil Nadu), Chola Dynasty. c. 11th century C.E. Cast bronze. Portable art Shiva balanced on Apasmara (dwarf of ignorance) Crushes ignorance Nimbus flames Shiva holds fire of destruction Hand points to foot to show refuge and enlightenment Hand invites worshippers to approach without fear Carried in worship Covered in flowers, cloth, gems Embodiment of Shiva, not an image of the god Treated as a living being Bathed, clothed, given food etc. Consumes essence of food – remaining food is sacred

Taj Mahal. , Uttar Pradesh, India. Ustad Ahmad Lahori, architect of the emperor. 1632– 1653 C.E. Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens. Mughal Emperor Mausoleum for wife Built in Agra Important city Trading center Along Yamuna River Large enclosed compound Gated entrances Central mausoleum flanked by red sandstone buildings One a mosque Decorative (not functional) minarets Emphasis on eight levels of paradise 8 hallways Octagonal space for tombs With cenotaph Char bagh garden Four quadrant gardens Based on 4 gardens of Paradise from the Quran Vanity project or act of love?

Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple. Lhasa, Tibet. Yarlung Dynasty. Believed to have been brought to Tibet in 641 C.E. Gilt metals with semiprecious stones, pearls, and paint; various offerings. Image of Buddh Shakyamuni (most widely depicted image) Name for Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Sects – Jowo Rinpoche Tibetan Buddhism Lotus pose Left hand in mudra of meditation Enlightenment

Bahram Gur Fights the Karg, folio from the Great Il-Khanid Shahnama. Islamic; Persian, Il’Khanid. c. 1330–1340 C.E. Ink and opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper. Illuminated manuscript – Luxury item From Shahnama – narrative poem of history of Persia before arrival of Islam Mongol court in Persia (Iran) Iran’s national epic Heroic deeds of the Kings Bahram Gur single-handedly kills horned wolf Symbolizes order and just rule over chaos Influence of Chinese style

Ardabil Carpet. Maqsud of Kashan. 1539–1540 C.E. Silk and wool. Fundamental part of Islamic art Decorative arts From city of Islamic Sufic mystic saint, Safi al-Din Ardabili Made for his shrine High knot count 2-4 times more knots than commercial rugs Intricate patterning / design Plants, flowers Court workshop Cartouches – inscriptions Two lamps from central medallion

The Court of Gayumars, folio from Shah Tahmasp’s Shahnama. Sultan Muhammad. c. 1522– 1525 C.E. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Illuminated manuscript from Shahnama Human figures – Sultan Persian Islamic works Multiple perspectives in landscape Influence of Chinese landscapes

Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings. Bichitr. c. 1620 C.E. Watercolor, gold, and ink on paper. Emperor of (Northern India – Muslim) Title: Nur ud-Din (“Light of Faith”) Name: (“Seizer of the World”) Haloed with sun disc – with flames Divine Elevated on stone platform Accepts book from Sufi Shaik Ignores others Ottoman Sultan King James I of England (based on image presented by ambassador) Bichitr – Hindu artist responsible for this work Part of folio – alternating text and image

Borobudur Temple. Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendra Dynasty. c. 750–842 C.E. Volcanic-stone masonry. Emphasis on paths – routes to enlightenment Buddhism Finding understanding and meaning Higher states of consciousness Mysteriously abandoned in late 9th century Rediscovered in 19th century Conceived by Gunadharma (poet, thinker, architect) Both a mountain, a stupa, a pyramid, a shrine A 3D mandala (like the Great Stupa) Passages radiate out from the axis mundi Clockwise circumambulation Ascending after each cycle Like the process of enlightenment Carved buddha sculptures (504) / reliefs (1000s) guide the way Biographical and didactic (Sutras) Stupas (72) on top three tiers Contains sculpture of Buddha Topped with giant stupa Immense in overall size Harnesses spiritual energies

Angkor War Cambodia Hindu temple 12th century construction Patron: King Suryavarman II (Protector of the Sun) Temple as Mausoleum perhaps Means of legitimizing power Connection to gods Enormous labor 30 yrs / 300,000 workers Little documentation of temple Dedicated to Vishnu Relief carvings (1,200 m²) Churning of the Ocean of Milk Beginning of time / creation of universe Victory of good over evil Indra descends to claim the elixir from the demons Secular and Sacred Surrounded by wall and moat Stone towers are sacred mountains (Mt. Meru) Complex represents spiritual realm – Axis Mundi Temple as home to Vishnu Mandala of cosmos In harmony with the universe