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An Exhibition presented by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts and Museum of Anthropology
Opening Reception: Thursday May 10, 7:00pm
May 10 – September 30, 2012
Location: The O’Brian Gallery, Museum of Anthropology, U.B.C.
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Sunday, May 13, 1:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre, Museum of Anthropology (MOA)
Margo Palmer, a Director of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts (CSAA),
and curatorial advisor for the “Visions of Enlightenment: Buddhist
Art at MOA” exhibit, will present a talk about the exhibition and
Buddhist art. (Free with regular admission)
More Lectures: (details are at the bottom of this page)
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Lecture: “Thai Buddhism”
Lecture: “Buddhism and Buddhist Art”
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Icons of Impermanence: Keynote Speeches
An Exhibition presented by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts and Museum of Anthropology
Opening Reception: Thursday May 10, 7:00pm
May 10 – September 30, 2012
Location: The O’Brian Gallery, Museum of Anthropology, U.B.C.
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Sunday, May 13, 1:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre, Museum of Anthropology (MOA)
Margo Palmer, a Director of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts (CSAA),
and curatorial advisor for the “Visions of Enlightenment: Buddhist
Art at MOA” exhibit, will present a talk about the exhibition and
Buddhist art. (Free with regular admission)
More Lectures: (details are at the bottom of this page)
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Lecture: “Thai Buddhism”
Lecture: “Buddhism and Buddhist Art”
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Icons of Impermanence: Keynote Speeches
Seated Buddha figure from Shan state in Burma 18th century, 105 cm high, from the Kuiper Collection
As Buddhism spread across Asia, symbols and sacred images developed to represent the Buddha and illuminate his teachings. These images offer the devotee and viewer both consistency in the forms of Buddhist art, and a vast array of subtle and obvious differences. The latter illuminate the variety of rituals, religious texts, and beliefs generated over time, culture, and geography. They offer a window into Buddhist philosophy, aesthetics and values, combining beauty and meaning.
Works of art in the exhibition focus on basic Buddhist concepts and images, and reflect the purpose of Buddhist art: why it is made, who made it, for whom, and how it is used; for example, in teaching, facilitating meditation, gaining merit, and for devotional purposes. Exhibit content reflects the Three Treasures of Buddhism, that is the Buddha, the Dharma (Teaching), and the Sangha (Community). Also described is the role of the bodhisattva and expressions of Buddhist practice, such as obtaining merit and devotion. The exhibit will decode the meaning of representations in Buddhist art, such as hand gestures and the attributes associated with various images.
The objects on display illustrate the primary images found in Buddhist art, and offer viewers a varied visual experience, from an early 5th century Gandharan sculpture, to a Zen painting.
A range of media will be represented, including sculptures (made of stone, metal or lacquered wood) paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, and textiles. These will be drawn from MOA’s Asian collection, as well as from private lenders in British Columbia and from the collection of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Visions of Enlightenment will show examples of Buddhist art from the main Buddhist traditions: the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. In Vancouver, the latter traditions are well represented in the established Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Tibetan communities. The Theravada school represents the traditions of the Burmese, Thai and other Southeast Asian communities.
The exhibition is guest curated by Paula Swart, who has been associated with the Museum of Anthropology as Adjunct Curator (Asia) since 2009. She teaches in the University of Victoria Continuing Studies Department, and has lectured on National Geographic Society expeditions to Asia.
Additional curatorial advice is provided by Margo Palmer, current Director of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts. The Society promotes the arts and cultures of Asia through lectures, cultural events, exhibits, and educational programs. MOA Liaison curator is Dr. Carol E. Mayer, Curator Africa/Oceania. MOA Designer is Skooker Broome.
Visions of Enlightenment is organized by MOA, and supported in part by the Canadian Society of Asian Arts, Bank of Montreal, and Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation. Media Sponsor is the Georgia Straight.
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Sunday, May 13, 1:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre
Museum of Anthropology (MOA)
Margo Palmer, a Director of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts (CSAA), and curatorial advisor for the “Visions of Enlightenment: Buddhist Art at MOA” exhibit, will present a talk about the exhibition and Buddhist art. (Free with regular admission)
Lecture: “Toward Understanding Thai Buddhism”
Friday, May 18, 4:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre, MOA
Dr. B.J. Terwiel, a well-known Buddhist scholar will talk about
features of Thai Buddhism. He is the author of the recently revised
classic Monks and Magic and Siam: Ten Ways to Look at Siam’s Past.The lecture is co-sponsored by CSAA and the Buddhism and Contemporary Society program (BCS), UBC.
Lecture: “Buddhism and Buddhist Art”
Sunday, May 27, 2:00pm
Frederic Wood Theatre
6354 Crescent Rd.
The University of British Columbia
Dr. Robert Thurman, a scholar and author, is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University in New York. He has written extensively on Buddhist philosophy and practice, art and culture, and has translated numerous Buddhist texts. A charismatic and enthusiastic speaker, Thurman lectures worldwide.The talk is sponsored by CSAA, in cooperation with MOA. Tickets are available online at www.moa.ubc.ca/eventtickets or at the door (cash only). Tickets are $16.80; MOA members $5.66 (all ages). Ticket price includes lecture and admission to MOA.
Lecture: “Visions of Enlightenment”
Sunday, June 17, 1:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre, MOA
Paula Swart, guest curator of the “Visions of Enlightenment” exhibit, will talk about the exhibition.(Free with regular admission)
Icons of Impermanence: Keynote Speeches
Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7, 7:00pm
Michael M. Ames Theatre, MOA
The two keynote speeches to the conference are presented by the Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program and the Canadian Society for Asian Arts. For details, please visit www.ubcbuddhism.wordpress.com
