DOCSLIB.ORG

The Transformation of Aura Through Restoration: Case Studies in Thailand and Italy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Transformation of Aura Through Restoration: Case Studies in Thailand and Italy THE TRANSFORMATION OF AURA THROUGH RESTORATION: CASE STUDIES IN THAILAND AND ITALY by ALEXANDRA DEBORAH SHARMA A thesis submitted to the Department of Art in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Queen's University Kingston, Ontario, Canada November, 1999 copyright O Alexandra Deborah Shana, 1999 National Library Bibliothèque nahianale I*I *fCana~ du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services senrices bibliographiques 395 Welington Street 395. rue Wetüingtcm OttawaON KIAM OllimaON K1AM Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une iicence non exclusive licence dowing the exclusive permettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seil reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protege cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT This thesis applies Walter Benjamin's ideas on aura as outlined in his text, "The Work of Ait in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' to art restoration. In this study, I treat restoration as a form of what Benjamin calls "manual" reproduction. 1 examine how Benjamin's views on the decay of aura relate to specific restoration practices in Thailand and Italy. I argue that Benjamin's ideas on aura do not apply universally, but rather that social and cuitural factors corne into play. To illustrate this point, I discuss two projects from the 1980s: the restoration of the vihan in the Buddhist temple Wat Suthat in Bangkok and the restoration of the Camera degli Sposi in the Castello San Giorgio in Mantua. I argue, with reference to social and cultural contexts, that Benjamin's ideas on aura seern more applicable to the project at the Camera degli Sposi than at Wat Suthaf in Thailand. Whereas in the Camera, restoration diffuses the aura of the original, at Wat Suihat, restoration takes on a form of ritualistic renewal, tied into th8 veiy mythologies and cultural foundations of Buddhism. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis has been an adventurous and a rewarding enterprise in many ways. In the process of writing it, I confronted rny Gennan hentage through Benjamin. ventured into new territory with my discussion on the ethics of restoration, and widened my intellectual and spiritual horizons tremendously through my research in Buddhist Thailand. The diverse topics of my thesis made this joumey quite stimulating and I thank Dr. Cathleen Hoenigei for her bright suggestions. amicable conversations, and patience. I am indebted to Dr. Bhesham Shanna for his insurnountable support in discussing stumbling blocks along the way and for fighting with, editing, and clarifying my sornetimes confusing sentence structure. During my research in Thailand, I was ovemihelmed by the unseMish help I received. My thanks go to my aunt and uncle, Heidrun and Roland Schmid, Khun Jarunee, Curator of the National Gallery in Bangkok, Khun Yod, Restorer at the Fine Arts Department, the Gennan Ernbassy in Bangkok, and Chuo Khun Suntom, Deputy Abbot of Wat Suthat, who provided me with extraordinary insights into Buddhist principles. Special thanks go to rny loyal friends, Stephie Beniveger and Claudi Koranda of Stuttgart as well as my colleagues and friends at Queen's, Hillary. Kiystina, Andrea and Annabel, and the very helpful librarians in the art library. Finally, I thank my wonderful parents, Horst Schmid and Ursula Schmid- Weigold. who encouraged my career change, and supported me in fulfilling my dream to study ait. To Bish, my 'Russian Coach" TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Illustrations............................................................ .v Introduction.. .................................................................. -1 Chapter One Walter Benjamin and the concept of 'auran as outlined in his essay "The Worù of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproductionn.....-............................. -.-5 Chapter Two The murals in the vihan of Wat Suthat, Bangkok, Thailand and their restorations.. ................................A2 Chapter Three Andrea Mantegna's murals in the Camera de@ Sposi, Mantua, ltaly and their restorations..................... 27 Conclusion.. ....................................................................-48 Bibliography.. .................................................................. -52 Appendices.. ..................................................................-58 Illustrations.. .................................................................... -63 Vita.. ..............................................................................-92 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1: Wat Sufhat - vihan: Example of birdvs-eye-viewand painting style - Buddhavamsa (author) Fig. 2: Wat Sufhat - vihan, detail of mural: Buddhavamsa - from the legend of the 10" Buddha Padumuttara (author) Fig. 3: Wat Suthat - vihan, detail of mural: wonder of the fivefold apparition of the Buddha - example of mudras (taken from Wat Suthat - Ein Beispiel deutscher Kulturhilfe, title page) Fig. 4: Major sites of attraction in Bangkok (taken from Visif Wat Suthat, lntelectual Services Ltd., Bangkok - no date, pp. 1-2) Fig. 5: Wat Suthat - vihan : Phra Sisakayamuni, the giant bronze Buddha (author) Fig. 6: Plan of Wat Suthat (taken f rom Visit Wat Suthat, lntelectual Seivices Ltd., Bangkok - no date, pp. 11 -1 2) Fig. 7: Wat Suthat - vihan: exterior (author) Fig. 8: Wat Suthat - vihan: painted columns (author) Fig. 9: Wat Suthat - vihan: date inscriptions underneath the murals (author) Fig. 10: Wat Suhat - vihan: protector deities on a door (author) Fig. 11 : Wat Suthat - vihan: framed murals atop a door (author) Fig. 12: Wat Suthat - viham bats hanging from the ceiling (before restoration) (taken f rom Wat Suthat - €in Beispiel deutscher Kultuhilfe, p. 168) Fig. 13: Wat Pho - restoration project (June 1998); application of protective layer (author) Fig. 14: Wat Suthat - restoration project; fixation, cleaning, consolidation, and in-painting (taken from Wat Suthat - €in Beispiel deutscher KuItuhiIfe, pp. 156-1 57) Fig. 15: Wat Suthat - restoration project; reconstniction of missing pieces (taken from Wat Suthat - Ein Beispiel deutscher Kultumilfe, p. 152) Fig. 16: Wat Phu - restoration project (June 1998); reconstruction of missing pieces (author) Fig. 17: Plan of the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua (taken from Giovanni Paccagnini, Mantegna, La Camera degli Sposi (Milan: Fratelli Fabri, 1968). p.4. Fig. 18: Camera degli Sposk splay of northwest window: the date of commencement painted in mock graffita (taken from Cordaro, p.13) Fig. 19: Camera degli Sposi view of the north and west walls (taken from Cordaro, p.70) Fig. 20: Camera degli Sposk view of the east and south walls with rnock drapes (taken from Cordaro, p.15) Fig. 21 : Camera degli Sposi, part of west wall: the painted tablet with the dedicatory inscription to Ludovico and Barbara, Mantegna's signature and the date 1474 (taken from Cordaro, p. l5O) Fig. 22: Camera degli Sposi: view of the norîh and west walls and various elements of the ceiling (taken from Cordaro, p.14) Fig. 23: Camera de@ Sposi. Octavian Augustus (taken from Cordaro, p. 60) Fig. 24: Camera degli Sposi: Arion on the Dolphin (taken from Cordaro, p. 68) Fig. 25: Camera degli Sposi: the vault with the oculus (taken from Cordaro, P* 56) Fig. 26: Camera degli Sposi. view of the north wall with the "court" scene (taken from Cordaro, p.73) Fig. 27: Camera degli Sposi: view of the west wall with the "meeting" scene (taken from Camesasca, p.47) Fig. 28: Camera degli Sposi: example of applied trateggio in the "meeting" scene (taken from Cordaro, p. 161) Fig. 29 Camera degli Sposi "disappearingn Magi in the "meeting* scene (taken from Lightbown, p.89) INTRODUCTION Walter Benjamin's essay, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," has been discussed extensively. His daim that reproduction withen away original artworks' aura has often been evaluated in political and literary studies as well as in art history.' No one, however, has yet explored how Benjamin's views on reproduction might relate to art restoration. In this thesis, I treat restoration as a fonn of what Benjamin calls "manual" * reproduction.' I examine how Benjamin's views on the decline of aura relate to specific restoration practices in Thailand and Italy. As I argue, Benjamin's ideas do not apply to these Eastern and Western contexts in the same manner because of diverse social and cultural factors. In my paper, I focus on two mural restoration projects from the 1980s. the vihan (chape1 and Buddha's dwelling place) of the Buddhist temple Wat Suthat in Bangkok, Thailand (restored in the years 1982-85), and Andrea Mantegna's Camera degli Sposi in the Ducal Palace in Mantua, ltaly (restored in the years 1984-87). My thesis shows how differences of culture and function corne into play. In this study I agree with Benjamin-that mural restorations diffuse the original's aura. On the other hand, against Benjamin, I argue that "reproduction" in the form of restoration can also add other layen of aura. 1 See for example Susan Buck-Morss,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Model for the Management of Cultural Tourism at Temples in Bangkok, Thailand
    Asian Culture and History; Vol. 6, No. 2; 2014 ISSN 1916-9655 E-ISSN 1916-9663 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education A Model for the Management of Cultural Tourism at Temples in Bangkok, Thailand Phra Thanuthat Nasing1, Chamnan Rodhetbhai1 & Ying Keeratiburana1 1 The Faculty of Cultural Science, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand Correspondence: Phra Thanuthat Nasing, The Faculty of Cultural Science, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province 44150, Thailand. E-mail: [email protected] Received: May 20, 2014 Accepted: June 12, 2014 Online Published: June 26, 2014 doi:10.5539/ach.v6n2p242 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ach.v6n2p242 Abstract This qualitative investigation aims to identify problems with cultural tourism in nine Thai temples and develop a model for improved tourism management. Data was collected by document research, observation, interview and focus group discussion. Results show that temples suffer from a lack of maintenance, poor service, inadequate tourist facilities, minimal community participation and inefficient public relations. A management model to combat these problems was designed by parties from each temple at a workshop. The model provides an eight-part strategy to increase the tourism potential of temples in Bangkok: temple site, safety, conveniences, attractions, services, public relations, cultural tourism and management. Keywords: management, cultural tourism, temples, Thailand, development 1. Introduction When Chao Phraya Chakri deposed King Taksin of the Thonburi Kingdom in 1982, he relocated the Siamese capital city to Bangkok and revived society under the name of his new Rattanakosin Kingdom (Prathepweti, 1995). Although royal monasteries had been commissioned much earlier in Thai history, there was a particular interest in their restoration during the reign of the Rattanakosin monarchs.
    [Show full text]
  • Infrastructure
    INFRASTRUCTURE Bangkok has been undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization since 1960. The increasing population is due in part to the development of infrastructure, such as road networks, real estate developments, land value, and a growing economy that resulted in expansion into the surrounding areas and the migration of people to the city from all parts of the country. 7>ÌiÀÊ ÃÕ«ÌÊÊ >}Ê>`Ê6VÌÞÊÀi> Õ°° Discovering the City the Discovering City the Discovering xxÈ°Ó Èää x£È°Ó xän°£ {nÈ°Î {n°È {ÇÈ°Ç {ää Óää ££°Ç È°{ n°£ ä ÓääÓ ÓääÎ Óää{ , - / *1 Ê7/ ,Ê-1**9Ê Ê"/ ,- 1- --]Ê-// Ê / ,*,- ]Ê"6¿/Ê 9Ê Ê 1-/, Source: Metropolitan Waterworks Authority /Ì>Ê7>ÌiÀÊ*À`ÕVÌÊÉÊ Water Management ->iÃÊÊ >}Ê>`Ê6VÌÞÊÀi> At present, the Metropolitan Waterworks To develop an effl uent treatment system, To build walls to prevent and solve Authority (MWA) provides the public and establish a “Flood Control Center” fl ood problems caused by seasonal, water supply in the BMA, Nonthaburi with 55 network stations, using low-cost northern and marine overfl ows in the and Samut Prakarn provinces at an treatment techniques and building Bangkok area. Ê Õ°° average of 4.15 million cubic meters additional water treatment systems, while Ó]äää per day, over a 1,486.5 sq. km area. restoring the beauty and cleanliness To develop an information technology £]xÎn°Î £]xää £]xäx £]x£È°£ of canals and rivers. system to support drainage systems £]{n£°Ç £]{În°x £]äÇÈ The BMA continuously monitors the throughout Bangkok. £]äää È°{ £]ä£Î° Ó°x nnä°Î quality of the water supply and canals.
    [Show full text]
  • Tour Description
    Bangkok's Historic Rattanakosin Downloaded on: 1 Oct 2021 Tour code: BKKDBRWT Bangkok City Day Tour ( Private ) Tour Level: Moderate Tour Comfort: Standard Tour Period: Morning Bangkok Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com Copyright © Diethelm Travel Management Limited. All right reserved. Bangkok's Historic Rattanakosin tour description A morning walking tour which explores the hidden side to Bangkok's famous Rattanakosin Island. We first early pick you up from hotel and take local transport to visit a local park which used to be the site of a prison and is now a public park and popular place for local Thai's exercising in the morning. It's a memorable sight watching everyone stop their work-outs to stand for the national anthem, atmospherically played over the loudspeaker system at 8:00 hours sharp! Next we visit the city's famous Giant Swing (Sao Chingcha), originally used for Brahmanic ceremonies, before we discover a fascinating local fresh market, bustling with local life in the early morning hours. This market is rarely visited by tourists and after wandering through small alleys and past wooden houses we stop for a drink in a Coffee house. The focus of this tour isn't Bangkok's temples, but we'll make a visit to the relatively unknown Wat Ratchabophit, distinct for its circular courtyard and mosaiced tilled exterior. The temple is also home to the Royal Cemetery, where the ashes of Chakri Dynasty Royals are housed, including the late former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The in-depth walking tour finishes at the atmospheric community of Phraeng Phuton where the quiet streets are lined with beautifully restored Thai-European heritage shophouses.
    [Show full text]
  • CONSERVATION of KUDIJEEN COMMUNITY for CULTURAL TOURISM by Nana Srithammasak a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of Th
    CONSERVATION OF KUDIJEEN COMMUNITY FOR CULTURAL TOURISM By Nana Srithammasak A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY 2010 CONSERVATION OF KUDIJEEN COMMUNITY FOR CULTURAL TOURISM By Nana Srithammasak A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY 2010 The Graduate School, Silpakorn University has approved and accredited the Thesis title of “ Conservation of Kudijeen Community For Cultural Tourism ” submitted by Ms.Nana Srithammasak as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism ……...................................................................... (Assistant Professor Panjai Tantatsanawong ,Ph.D.) Dean of Graduate School ........../..................../.......... The Thesis Advisor Professor Ross James King The Thesis Examination Committee .................................................... Chairman (Professor Emeritus Trungjai Buranasomphob, Ph.D.) ............/......................../.............. .................................................... Member (Associate Professor Chaiyasit Dankittikul, D.E.D.) ............/......................../.............. ...................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 9 Sacred Sites in Bangkok Temple As an Auspicious Activity That Grants Them Happiness and Good Luck
    The 9 Sacred Sites Buddhists in Thailand pay homage at the temple or ‘wat’ as they believe it is a way to make merit. They consider paying homage to the principal Buddha image or to the main Chedi of the 9 Sacred Sites in Bangkok temple as an auspicious activity that grants them happiness and good luck. The number nine is considered auspicious because it is pronounced as ‘kao,’ similar to the word meaning ‘to progress’ or ‘to step forward.’ Therefore it is believed that a visit to nine sacred temples in one day gives the worshippers prosperity and good luck. The nine sacred temples in Bangkok are of significant value as they are royal temples and convenient for worshippers as they are located close to each other in the heart of Bangkok. Wat Saket Printed in Thailand by Promotional Material Production Division, Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution. www.tourismthailand.org E/JUL 2017 The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice. The 9 Sacred Sites Buddhists in Thailand pay homage at the temple or ‘wat’ as they believe it is a way to make merit. They consider paying homage to the principal Buddha image or to the main Chedi of the 9 Sacred Sites in Bangkok temple as an auspicious activity that grants them happiness and good luck. The number nine is considered auspicious because it is pronounced as ‘kao,’ similar to the word meaning ‘to progress’ or ‘to step forward.’ Therefore it is believed that a visit to nine sacred temples in one day gives the worshippers prosperity and good luck.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Annual Compilation
    PresentThe Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women Volume 6 | Number 1 | 2012 Annual Compilation An Interview with Venerable Ayya Tathaaloka Earth Day Earth Witness Can the Theravada Bhikkhuni Order Be Re-Established? It Already Has An Interview with Tenzin Kiyosaki Lasting Inspiration What Buddhism Gave Me International Bhikkhuni Day 2012 The Reading Habits of One Bhikkhuni Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet The Art of Disappearing: The Buddha’s Path to Lasting Joy Present | The Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women | 2012 Annual Compilation Issue 1 PThe Voicesresent and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women Volume 6 | Number 1 | 2012 Annual Compilation ISSN 2156-0099. Present is published in four installments per year by Alliance for Bhikkhunis, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. PO Box 1058, Santa Barbara, Califor- nia, USA 93102-1058, www.bhikkhuni.net Editor-in-Chief Sarah Conover Managing Editor Dennis Crean Editorial Board Sarah Conover Dennis Crean Jayanta Shirley Johannesen Caroline Starkey Venerable Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni Venerable Sudhamma Bhikkhuni Design & Layout Helen Geld Special Thanks To Susan Pembroke, Jacqueline Kramer, Carol Annable, Emma Tomalin, Dion Peoples, Susmita Barua, Pamela Kirby, Hisayo Front Cover Feminine Buddha Image Wat Thepthidaram, Thailand Photo: Anandajoti Bhikkhu www.photodharma.net Present is an independent publication and does not repre- sent any particular lineage, monastic, or teacher. The journal is produced for and supported by the Theravada Fourfold Sangha, and as such reflects the interests of that commu- nity. Present publishes essays, nonfiction, scholarly articles, news, and book and movie reviews relevant to bhikkhunis and the Fourfold Sangha. We welcome submissions.
    [Show full text]
  • An Application of Budhist Teachings to Business Management for Thai Business Leaders
    AN APPLICATION OF BUDHIST TEACHINGS TO BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FOR THAI BUSINESS LEADERS Mr. Sorayuth Vathanavisuth A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Buddhist Studies) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E. 2560 An Application of Buddhist Teachings to Business Management for Thai Business Leaders Mr. Sorayuth Vathanavisuth A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Buddhist Studies) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E. 2560 (Copyright by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University) The Graduate School of Mahachulalongkomrajavidyalaya University has approved this dissertation of "An Application of Buddhist Teachings to Business Management for Thai Business Leaders" submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements fbr the degree of Doctor of philosophy in Buddhist studies. lJean of Graduate School Exarninati on Committee : Chairperson [L-, &nq".4rn;. Member (Asst. ph.D. Prof. PhraRajapariyattimuni, ) Member (Ven. Piyaratana Walmoruwe, Fh.D.) {H,WEwL Member (Phramaha ph.D. Surasak Paccantaseno, ) Member (Phramaha Pornchai Sirivaro, ph.D.) Dissertation Supervisory Committee: Asst. Prof Chairperson Ven- Piy Mernber Researcher: Soraluth Yathanavisuth) I ชื่อดุษฎีนิพนธ์ : การประยุกต์หลักพุทธธรรมในการจัดการธุรกิจส าหรับผู้น า ธุรกิจไทย ผู้วิจัย : นาย สรยุทธ วัฒนวิสุทธิ์ ปริญญา : พุทธศาสตรดุษฎีบัณฑิต (พระพุทธศาสนา) คณะกรรมการควบคุมดุษฎีนิพนธ์
    [Show full text]
  • Executive Summary.P65
    THE MASTER PLAN for Land Development : Ratchadamnoen ห้ามทำสำเนาหรือผลิตไม่ว่าส่วนใดส่วนหนึ่งหรือทั้งหมด ทกรุ ปแบบู โดยไมได่ ร้ บอนั ญาตุ No part of this report may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permision. The Working Team : • Project Manager Mr. Watchara Chongsuwat • Planning Principal and Expert in Contemporary and Ancient Architecture Dr. Sumet Jumsai Na Ayudhaya • Urban Planning and Architecture Creative Development Co., Ltd., Mr. Terdkiat Sakdicumdaung ; SJA + 3D Co., Ltd., ; Mrs. Kwanchai Laksanakorn, Mr. Somkiat Yuwawidhayapanich, Mr. Jeeraphong Chongwatanasilpkul ; A-Seven Corporation Co., Ltd., Mr. Watchara Chongsuwat, Mr. Wichian Tapaneyaolarn, Mr. Aphisit Intrclai, Mr. Thira Sinhaneti, Mr. Patarapol Sivasen, Mr. Prapont Hongsakorn, Miss Waroonkarn Ampikitpanich, Mr. Pongdej Pitakmoulchon • Urban Development and Urban Planner Mr. Terdkiat Sakdicumdaung • Urban Planner Analyst Mr. Sakda Thonguthaisri • Asdecon Corporation Co., Ltd., World Heritage Co., Ltd., Daoreuk Co.,Ltd., History and Culture Experts Mr. Pisit Charoenwongsa, Miss Kasama Kaosaiyanont, Mr. Worakarn Wongsuwan • Social and Community Development Planner Mr. Nath Kiatrabin, Mr. Buntorn Ondam, Miss Namnuan Suwannarattana, Miss Sunanta Parinkul • Public Relation Experts Miss Patchanee Choeychanya, Mrs. Lertluksna Yodavuds, Miss Vasana Khompeera • Tourism Planner Mr. Seree Wangpaichitr, Mr. Rasada Inthasaen, Miss Rubkwan Charoonsri • Environmentalist Dr. Thamnoon Rochanaburanon, Mrs. Budsaba Israngkura Na Ayudhaya • Landscape
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Management Plan for the National Theatre Haworth Tompkins
    Conservation Management Plan For The National Theatre Final Draft December 2008 Haworth Tompkins Conservation Management Plan for the National Theatre Final Draft - December 2008 Haworth Tompkins Ltd 19-20 Great Sutton Street London EC1V 0DR Front Cover: Haworth Tompkins Ltd 2008 Theatre Square entrance, winter - HTL 2008 Foreword When, in December 2007, Time Out magazine celebrated the National Theatre as one of the seven wonders of London, a significant moment in the rising popularity of the building had occurred. Over the decades since its opening in 1976, Denys Lasdun’s building, listed Grade II* in 1994. has come to be seen as a London landmark, and a favourite of theatre-goers. The building has served the NT company well. The innovations of its founders and architect – the ampleness of the foyers, the idea that theatre doesn’t start or finish with the rise and fall of the curtain – have been triumphantly borne out. With its Southbank neighbours to the west of Waterloo Bridge, the NT was an early inhabitant of an area that, thirty years later, has become one of the world’s major cultural quarters. The river walk from the Eye to the Design Museum now teems with life - and, as they pass the National, we do our best to encourage them in. The Travelex £10 seasons and now Sunday opening bear out the theatre’s 1976 slogan, “The New National Theatre is Yours”. Greatly helped by the Arts Council, the NT has looked after the building, with a major refurbishment in the nineties, and a yearly spend of some £2million on fabric, infrastructure and equipment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Old Bangkok: Diethelm Standard
    Half Day Rattanakosin - The Old Bangkok: Diethelm Standard Downloaded on: 7 Oct 2021 Tour code: EXBHOBPC Bangkok City Day Tour ( Private ) Tour Level: - Tour Comfort: - Tour Period: Morning 4 hours English,French,German Bangkok Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com Copyright © Diethelm Travel Management Limited. All right reserved. Half Day Rattanakosin - The Old Bangkok: Diethelm Standard tour description Straddling the Chao Phraya River and situated just north of Chinatown, Koh Rattanakosin - the old city - is where you'll find Bangkok's most spectacular and revered historical attractions. Not only part of the Kingdom's rich past, but intrinsic to it, with shimmering, spire-shaped eye-candy on nearly every corner. A very unique structure in the Bangkok skyline is the Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan (formerly Wat Ratchanadda), a Royal temple best known for the Loha Prasat. The Loha Prasat, which means iron castle or iron monastery, is a 36m high and has 37 black metal spires symbolizing the 37 virtues that are required to reach enlightenment. You can climb the spiral stairs to the top of the structure. Just below the shrine on top is an open air walkway from where you will have a good view of the temple area, as well as the Wat Saket temple and the Golden Mount. The Loha Prasat of Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan is the only one of its kind in existence today and thus under consideration with UNESCO to be made a World Heritage Site. A short walk brings you to Wat Thepthidaram, also known as Temple of the Heavenly Daughter, unique because it contains images of female disciples of Buddha.
    [Show full text]
  • Thailands Beaches and Islands
    EYEWITNESS TRAVEL THAILAND’S BEACHES & ISLANDS BEACHES • WATER SPORTS RAINFORESTS • TEMPLES FESTIVALS • WILDLIFE SCUBA DIVING • NATIONAL PARKS MARKETS • RESTAURANTS • HOTELS THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU EYEWITNESS TRAVEL THAILAND’S BEACHES AND ISLANDS EYEWITNESS TRAVEL THAILAND’S BEACHES AND ISLANDS MANAGING EDITOR Aruna Ghose SENIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER Savitha Kumar SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER Priyanka Thakur PROJECT DESIGNER Amisha Gupta EDITORS Smita Khanna Bajaj, Diya Kohli DESIGNER Shruti Bahl SENIOR CARTOGRAPHER Suresh Kumar Longtail tour boats at idyllic Hat CARTOGRAPHER Jasneet Arora Tham Phra Nang, Krabi DTP DESIGNERS Azeem Siddique, Rakesh Pal SENIOR PICTURE RESEARCH COORDINATOR Taiyaba Khatoon PICTURE RESEARCHER Sumita Khatwani CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Forbes, David Henley, Peter Holmshaw CONTENTS PHOTOGRAPHER David Henley HOW TO USE THIS ILLUSTRATORS Surat Kumar Mantoo, Arun Pottirayil GUIDE 6 Reproduced in Singapore by Colourscan Printed and bound by L. Rex Printing Company Limited, China First American Edition, 2010 INTRODUCING 10 11 12 13 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 THAILAND’S Published in the United States by Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., BEACHES AND 375 Hudson Street, New York 10014 ISLANDS Copyright © 2010, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London A Penguin Company DISCOVERING ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER INTERNATIONAL AND PAN-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT CONVENTIONS. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN THAILAND’S BEACHES A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, AND ISLANDS 10 ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. PUTTING THAILAND’S A CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION RECORD IS BEACHES AND ISLANDS AVAILABLE FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rhetoric of Masculinity and Machismo in the Telugu Film Industry
    TAMING OF THE SHREW: THE RHETORIC OF MASCULINITY AND MACHISMO IN THE TELUGU FILM INDUSTRY By Vishnupriya Bhandaram Submitted to Central European University Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Supervisors: Vlad Naumescu Dorit Geva CEU eTD Collection Budapest, Hungary 2015 Abstract Common phrases around the discussion of the Telugu Film Industry are that it is sexist and male-centric. This thesis expounds upon the making and meaning of masculinity in the Telugu Film Industry. This thesis identifies and examines the various intangible mechanisms, processes and ideologies that legitimise gender inequality in the industry. By extending the framework of the inequality regimes in the workplace (Acker 2006), gendered organisation theory (Williams et. al 2012) to an informal and creative industry, this thesis establishes the cyclical perpetuation (Bourdieu 2001) of a gender order. Specifically, this research identifies the various ideologies (such as caste and tradition), habituated audiences, and portrayals of ideal masculinity as part of a feedback loop that abet, reify and reproduce gender inequality. CEU eTD Collection i Acknowledgements “It is not that there is no difference between men and women; it is how much difference that difference makes, and how we choose to frame it.” Siri Hustvedt, The Summer Without Men At the outset, I would like to thank my friends old and new, who patiently listened to my rants, fulminations and insecurities; and for being agreeable towards the unreasonable demands that I made of them in the weeks running up to the completion of this document.
    [Show full text]