Showing posts with label Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arts. Show all posts

Reliefs on the Largest Buddha Temple in the World, Borobudur – part 1

Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Top View of Borobudur temple

As on previous post: “What is the Largest Buddha Temple in the World?” That there are 3 important parts of temple.

We talking about reliefs now. At the body of the temple, we could find many reliefs. As said by Raezer and Raezer (2016), the total number of relief is 120 big pieces (around 1500 small panels).

Reliefs are sculptures on the wall (body) of the temple, they depicted:
- Buddha life (critical to understand the faith)
- the daily life of people surrounding the temple around 1,200 years ago.

Buddha life consists of:
- Buddha descend from the Tushita heaven
- Buddha enter Maya’s womb
- Maya travel to Lumbini
- Buddha cuts hair
- Buddha meditates with 5 ascetics
- Mara’s daughter tempt Buddha
- Siddhartha achieve enlightenment become Buddha
- Buddha gives first sermon

Relief of Buddha (Siddhartha) cut hair

Cutting hair is a symbol to embrace new (ascetic) life. Some said the symbol as represent of:
- Love
- Courage
- Sacrifice
- Discipline

Siddhartha cut his hair when he reached 29 years old while in the process to be Buddha. 

Since then, he cut the tie between his current life to his former status as a prince. 

Relief after meditation Siddhartha achieve enlightenment.

One process to become Buddha is meditation. Siddhartha meditated under the tree for 49 days or 7 weeks without changing position.

He “deeply absorbed in meditation” to penetrate the true of life. At this stage, he got enlightenment and then become Buddha.

Borobudur entrance

Observing reliefs on the temple wall is one of attractive reasons to visit Borobudur. The largest Buddha temple in the world.


Reference
Raezer, D and Raezer, J. 2016. The Temples of Java: Borobudur & Prambanan.
Retrieved from http://www.approachguides.com/ebook-previews/Preview-ApproachGuides-Indonesia-Java-Borobudur-Prambanan.pdf

Why Salvador Dali Museum as a Wish List to Visit before Die?

Monday, July 8, 2019
The unique design of Salvador Dali Museum

Many friends of mine have “wish list” before they die. Their favorite places or objects to visit are:

1. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
2. Douro valley, Portugal
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
4. Marrakech, Morocco
5. Great Wall, China
6. Pyramid, Egypt

Surprisingly, quite plenty friends of mine have included Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersberg, Florida as their wish list to visit before they die.

It is because the building is unique. It was built based on principle of science, math and proportion. Represent of Salvador Dali see the world with 1000 ways.

The artist observed the world as combinations of:
- progressive
- classic
- fantasy


Museum locates at Water front

The museum has collected art works of Dali, the biggest outside of his country, Spain:
- 96 oil paintings
- 2000 pieces of art works

List of some Dali’s painting are:
- The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory
- The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus
- Daddy Long Legs of the Evening — Hope
- Eggs on the Plate Without the Plate
- Portrait of My Dead Brother

One of corner inside museum

Inside the 3 floor building, we can go from first to third floor through spiral staircase. Staircase reflects the Dali interests in science, DNA helix.

In addition to galleries which displays Dali’s painting, the museum also has sections of:
- theater
- gift shops
- library
- Gala cafe (named for respect of Dali’s wife)
- meeting room
Melting watch, one of Dali famous paintings

Around 400,000 visitors come to Dali Museum in Florida per year. They are from 30 different countries.

Museum is considered as one of the most visited in America. Entrance ticket is US$ 24 for an adult (18 to 64 years). US$ 22 for:
- Seniors
- Fire fighters
- Military
- Educators (teachers)
- Police


Have you visited or arranged to come to Dali’s Museum in Florida?

Who are the stars of Renaissance Artists? - Part 1

Thursday, June 20, 2019
Mary with her child, sculptured by Michelangelo

As we know that Renaissance is revival period for many fields: science, literature, philosophy, music and off course art.

In the field of art, at least there were 50 more recognized artists in this period. The question then: Who are the stars of Renaissance Artists?

The answer may be 4 or 3. My favorites are three, they are:
- Michelangelo
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Raphael.

Michelangelo was well known as architect, sculptor and painter. One of his monumental work was "Madonna of Bruges."

This sculpture of Mary and her child is “the very core of Christianity,” since it refers to “virgin Mary and son Jesus together.”

Sculpture was created in Italy, then exported to Belgium around 1504. Some other iconic works accomplished by Michelangelo are:

- David
- Pieta
- Moses
- Bacchus
- Angel
- The creation of Adam


Bacchus

Bacchus sculpture is made of marble in 1496 – 1497. The nude statue represents god of wine from Roman mythology.

At early time, this statue drew controversy, because god was posed in drunken (rolling eyes and walking in lack of balance) by Michelangelo.

In fact, Bacchus is associated with love of grape (wine), ecstasy and madness. 


Creation of Adam

Michelangelo depicted “creation of Adam” based on Biblical narrative in 1508 – 1512. It has been “iconic of humanity.”

Painting of the “creation of Adam” has been replicated and reproduced in many forms worldwide.

Have you seen art works of Michelangelo in Italy?

What is Original Use of Pantheon in Rome, Italy?

Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Pantheon in Rome, Italy around 1700’s (credit to Google)
My previous article was about Parthenon with title: What is Purpose of Parthenon in Athens, Greece? 
I mentioned that “the Parthenon is a classical style, a Doric order form. 
While in Rome, Italy, there is historical building called as Pantheon, classic style, but with Corinthian order form. 
Corinthian order form is quite complex compared to simple Doric order form. It is because Corinthian was developed later on, after 200 years of Doric.
The temple was completed by the Roman emperor around 125 A.D. The building age is around 1900 years old. Very well preserved. 
Based on the word of the Pantheon; Pan means every and Theon mean divinity, thus, initially, the temple serves to worship for every god. 
Moreover, Cartwright (2013) suggested that the temple might be the place where emperor shows his divine and power equal to other gods when he is attending the worship or appear in public. 

Pantheon condition recently (credit to Google)

The initial function of both Parthenon (Athens) and Pantheon (Rome) is serving as a temple. 
Then, the Pantheon is used as the Roman Church, while Parthenon for museum. Both are tourist objects now days. 
In term of architecture, there is similarity for both Pantheon and Parthenon, they have “8
pillars in front of the entrance.”  
These pillars to support a pediment; a triangular element in upper part of front any classical style buildings. 
Have you been visited Pantheon in Rome, Italy?

Reference
Cartwright, M. 2013. Pantheon. Retrieved from ancient /Pantheon/

What was Relationship between Christian Art and Classical Rome?

Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Basilica, just for illustration, credit to Romewise
Christianity has strong relationships with the Roman empire at early stage of developments, and even beyond. 
At the first century, slow but sure, Christian faith to be adapted by Romans world; many Romans converted to Christianity. 
In terms of art, Romans then bring their own art heritage to their new faith; Christian. Roman’s artistic (motif, form and architecture) was applied with new meaning to a new faith and to a new god. 

One of Basilica plan, credit to Amundson (2016)
Christian had adopted classical Rome architectures after becoming legal faith in 313 CE. Christian built the early churches by mimicking the basilica (please see above Figure). 
As mentioned by writer873 (2012) that basilica is used as a court of law or for public assemblies, and even as marketplaces in ancient Rome. 
Thus, basilica is evolved as a symbol of authority in Roman empire to be symbol of worship in early Christians.
Other unique things in early Christianity that they borrowed many artistic motifs from the Romans, some of them are philosopher figure; shepherd figure and festive meal motif. 
Christ and his apostles are depicted as a philosopher figure with characterized by a teacher wearing a toga and holding a scroll. 
Then, Christians adopted the shepherd figure to portray Christ; a young man with a sheep on his shoulders. In respect to the festive meal motif, Christians adopted the theme for celebration symbol.

References
Amundson, JA. 2016. ARC 231: image collection for Jewish & Early Christian. Retrieved from http://jhenniferamundson.net/arc-231-2/arc-231-image-collection/arc-231-image-collection-for-jewish-early-christian/
Writer873. 2012. Basilicas of the Roman Forum. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/article/24/

What is the Largest Buddha Temple in the World?

Sunday, May 26, 2019
Borobudur temple
I familiar with one of Buddha temples, because I visited the temple several times, namely Borobudur. The temple is the largest Buddha temple in the world. 
Uniquely, the temple was built by two million blocks of stones and no interior for worship purposes. 
The base occupies around 2,500 square meters with a 123×123 meters square in size and 4 meters in high. 
The body (wall) contains 5 square platforms, where each of the platform was diminishing by heights. 
Then, if measured from the ground, the temple has a height of 35 meters (115 feet). Quite higher for an ancient building.
Vertically, the building was divided by three major divisions, they are base, body (wall), and top. 

Stupa (contain holy relics) on the top of Borobudur temple

Base is pile of stones, like strong foundations in other historical building in the world. Body (wall) is carved with “reliefs” to depict daily activities of ancient Indonesia. 
On the top of temple, there is space for Buddhists to perform their worship. Not like other religions, Buddhist come to temple only for certain celebrations. 
The temple is located in central Java, Indonesia. Distance is around 564 km (350 mile) from capital, Jakarta to Magelang regency or close by Jogjakarta, where Borobudur is.
Many public transportations provide service to visit Borobudur: planes, trains and buses. 
You may know (heard) about Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The Angkor Wat temple was originally Hindu’s, then transformed to Buddha. 
Borobudur is consistently used as Buddha temple since it was constructed in 850 AD until recently.
Have you visited any Buddha temples? 

What is Purpose of Parthenon in Athens, Greece?

Monday, May 20, 2019


Parthenon in Athens (credit to Google)

The Parthenon is a classical style, a Doric order style of the Temple that built by the Athenian Empire in 447 BC. The temple for the patron of goddess, Athena.

Athena is the smartest and wisest of all gods in Greece. As god of war and peace. She was an inventor and crafted.

Then, Bakula (2018) added that “She was a protector, adviser, patron, and ally of heroic men.”

Parthenon have 8 pillars in front of the entrance. These pillars to support a pediment; a triangular element in upper part of front any classical style buildings.

In terms of political and military viewpoints, the Parthenon is a symbol of Athenian imperial power. 

As said by Martin (1999) that the Parthenon served as a champion of military power, indicated by the present of the goddess in battle armor inside the building.

The Parthenon is a rectangular form; Columns are smaller; and columns in Doric order of classical style.

Parthenon on the hill (credit to Google)

Currently, Parthenon function as a museum, to be one of tourist’s attraction in Greece.

As a great empire once upon time, we could find the remaining of Greek buildings in many places such as Italy, Sicily, and Turkey.

Parthenon was viewed from the sky (credit to Google)

Then, Greek classical style was mimicked and copied around the globe for private and public buildings. 

What kind of Greek classical buildings do yo know?

Reference
Bakula, J. (2018). Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Artistry in Greek Mythology. Retrieved from https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Greek-Goddess-Athena
Martin, TR. 1999. An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/#q=thomas+r+martin+an...
+overview+of+athena+empire.

Stop by at Art Galleries of a College Student

Sunday, May 19, 2019
Look like a big goat head

We just stop by a college art gallery that close to our neighborhood recently. The students use a wall to show their creativity.

Sure, the purposes are to promote and if the art works are good enough, then the owners sell it.

Since the painting owners are students, mainly associate degree students, the price range from US$ 50 to couple hundred bucks.

I saw the highest price of painting is US$ 480. Male goat head of oil painting. Look very beautiful for me.

Vases and flowers

There are many painting styles as we know, some of them are:
- Racoco
- Barouque
- Realism (called as naturalism too)
- Fauvism
- Romanticism
- Cubism
- Expressionism
- Abstract
- Surrealism

Many vases with beautiful flowers

I know few of artists with their styles:

- Rembrant, a Dutch painter is one of well known artists for realism style.
- Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter, a well known artist for cubism style.
- Edvard Munch, a Norwegian painter, a well known artist for expressionism style.
- Jackson Pollock, an American painter, a well known artist for abstract style
- Max Ernst is one of well known painters from Germany for surrealism style.

In my opinion that majority students adapted the Realism, also called as naturalism painting style. I love this style. What we see have no hiding meaning.

Few paintings as I saw that depict the light and visible strokes to show the quality of painting. This style could be included as post impressionism painting style.

Vincent van Gogh, a dutch painter is well known for his post impressionism style.

What painting style do you like? Who is your favorite painter?