August 25, 2010

http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/features/met roshanghai/culture/2010-08/566220.html



Standing Buddha. Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Museum By Huang Xi As Christianity has been vital in the development of Western art, Buddhism has played an important role in the Eastern art world. The India: the Art of the Temple exhibition at the Shanghai Museum illustrates how religion and art merged into each other in this ancient country, where Buddhism originated . This exhibition presents 106 ancient works related to Buddhism, all on loan from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Apparently this is the first time the Shanghai Museum has exhibited art from India - even if these works have been borrowed from Britain. The magnificent exhibits (dating from the 1st to the 19th centuries) are divided into three parts according to the religions they relate to: Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. "The three religions co-existed for about 3,000 years, and many splendid temples were built during this period, "said Chen Kelun, the deputy director of the museum. Andrew Burnett, the deputy director of the British Museum, strongly recommends visitors to study the Seated Figure of Sakyamuni, a stone statue of Sakyamuni made in the 3rd century. The elaborate carvings on the statue, especially those on the gown, represent the highest level of craftsmanship, even though the halo behind Sakyamuni''s has been lost. The shape and style of gown on this work misled generations for a long time into believing Buddha had come from Greece rather than India, which meant the religion was misconceived as a Western creation. The bronze statue Standing Buddha, made in the 6th century in Bihar, India, represents another artistic peak. The gown seems to be molded close to the figure , a typical style of Sarnath, one of the important centers for Buddhism in India. According to Buddhist sutras, Sakyamuni was an Indian prince. In this sculpture, his sexual organs are invisible, suggesting that Buddhism converts should suppress sexual desire. Spots of blue color on the hair are a clue to something else. The art of dyeing was not adopted until the late 7th century, suggesting that this statue might have been taken to China and worshipped in a Tibetan temple. The oldest piece in this exhibition is the Seated Kwan-yin Bodhisattva, made between the 2nd and the 3rd century when the Buddhism had just been introduced into China. Both the Buddhist and Jainist sections exhibit "footprints" but the craft and interpretations differ. Footprints are considered evidence of the existence of Buddha in Buddhism, while in Jainism they mark the place where a holy man has died. Differences can also be found in the statues from the time of invention of the three religions. From the 5th and 6th centuries BC, Buddhist statues are classically traditional but the figures and faces of Jainist statues are fuller and rounder. Partly inspired by Buddhism, the Hindu statues adopted the physical features of Indians. "Giving the statues recognizable features might have helped the believers," said visitor Xiao Yang, an art enthusiast. The British Museum has some of the most important and valuable collections of art and artifacts from all over the world but has been criticized as "a robber" because it has more works from other countries than it does from Britain. Andrew Burnett admits that the number of "made in UK "works is" surprisingly "smaller. As one of the activities affiliated to the UK Pavilion in the Expo site, the exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, especially students and parents with children." It is a rare opportunity for my little boy to learn about the wonderful civilization in our neighboring country, "a mother surnamed Tang said. That is exactly the purpose of this exhibition." This year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Indian diplomatic relationship, and this exhibition is a great chance for Chinese people to learn how splendid ancient Indian art and culture is, "said Chen Xiejun, the director of the Shanghai Museum. Date: Until November 15, 9 am to 5 pm Venue: Shanghai Museum Shanghai Museum Address: 201 People ''s Avenue people Boulevard 201 Admission: Free Call 6372-3500 for details copyright dedecms