Message from hlee

[Anonymous]

The Seattle Asian Art Museum has about 200 Buddhist Art from China, Korea, Japan, India, Tibet, Thailand and Vietnam in its permanent collection, of which approximately 100 are currently on display under the title Discovering Buddhist Art. From manuscripts, ritual objects, paintings to Buddha statues, the exhibit illustrates the spectacular development of Buddhist arts from India to other parts of Asia. It traces the influence of indigenous artistic styles and materials over 2,200 years. I found the details and sizes of the portable shrines from different Asian countries especially remarkable.

There is also a collection of beautiful bamboo baskets and flower vases from Meiji Japan, bowls and stone wares from 14th-15th century Thailand, plates and teapots from 15th century Vietnam.

There are also two special exhibitions by contemporary Asian artists on view until October of 2006.
The photography exhibit by a Korean-American photographer Johsel Nam Kung displays large scale nature pictures of the North West and the Mountains of Korea. The pictures are reminiscent of Ansel Adams pictures.
The video installation called Tooba (Tree) by an Iranian-born artist Shirin- neshat explores the themes of women and islam. The black and white two screen video shows an image of a woman slowly (very slowly) being transformed into a tree, which is an image originating from Koran.

For more information, visit the museum website at:

http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAAM.asp[Edit by="hlee on Aug 20, 4:11:29 PM"][/Edit]