Comments for Traditions Transformed http://traditions.rma2.org Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:21:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by AIH http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-156 AIH Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:21:30 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-156 Dondren's artwork is an extremely unique representation of Tibet life and culture in that it is not a traditional representation through Tibetan artistic history. The visual language of Tibetan art is what is being transformed. The title, "We are nearest to the Sun" describes the location of Tibet in the Himalayan mountains, the highest point on Earth. Yet, a cloud of smoke is blocking the sun from shining and consuming the pure air with a tainted view and effect. Dondren’s artwork is an extremely unique representation of Tibet life and culture in that it is not a traditional representation through Tibetan artistic history. The visual language of Tibetan art is what is being transformed.

The title, “We are nearest to the Sun” describes the location of Tibet in the Himalayan mountains, the highest point on Earth. Yet, a cloud of smoke is blocking the sun from shining and consuming the pure air with a tainted view and effect.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by CW http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-155 CW Sun, 12 Dec 2010 02:36:05 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-155 What I see being transformed here is the space in which Tibetans, a vibrant cultural group, have to express their identity. When read from the bottom up, it seems that the space furthest from the Red Flag, a symbol of the Chines occupation, is the widest and gives these individuals the ability to live comfortable and peacefully in a way that allows them to communicate their values and cultural identity. Yet as their space approached the occupation, it becomes chaotic and the people appear to be living in fear. -CW What I see being transformed here is the space in which Tibetans, a vibrant cultural group, have to express their identity. When read from the bottom up, it seems that the space furthest from the Red Flag, a symbol of the Chines occupation, is the widest and gives these individuals the ability to live comfortable and peacefully in a way that allows them to communicate their values and cultural identity. Yet as their space approached the occupation, it becomes chaotic and the people appear to be living in fear.
-CW

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by MJC_vanderbilt http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-154 MJC_vanderbilt Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:36:23 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-154 When I first saw this work, it immediately reminded me of Gustav Klimt with the warm colors and overlay of geometric shapes. This surprised me seeing as most associations with Tibetan works are often strict iconometric thangka paintings or sculptures of bodhisattvas. I think this speaks to the globalization of modern Tibetan art with the fusion of many different cultures being represented for the now disperse Tibetan people. The small red flag at the top is symbolic of the control of China while wisp of the cloud may be a symbol of a return to the balance of nature soon spreading in order to restore this land and its people. When I first saw this work, it immediately reminded me of Gustav Klimt with the warm colors and overlay of geometric shapes. This surprised me seeing as most associations with Tibetan works are often strict iconometric thangka paintings or sculptures of bodhisattvas.
I think this speaks to the globalization of modern Tibetan art with the fusion of many different cultures being represented for the now disperse Tibetan people. The small red flag at the top is symbolic of the control of China while wisp of the cloud may be a symbol of a return to the balance of nature soon spreading in order to restore this land and its people.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by Kelly http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-153 Kelly Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:17:59 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-153 I see a colorful vibrant village on a mountain top with a red flag on top representing a free tibet I see a colorful vibrant village on a mountain top with a red flag on top representing a free tibet

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by Lauren M http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-152 Lauren M Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:10:09 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-152 To me, the transformation is the idea of the clouds over-powering the sun. The title of this work is, "We are the Nearest to the Sun." This work speaks to the consequences of this position. Being the closets means a) that you are blessed with more light than those who are further...but if you do anything to "pollute" the world, it can block that light. I believe this works speaks to a direct relationship between the land 'nearest to the sun' and the effects of their actions in the eyes of the rest of the world. To me, the transformation is the idea of the clouds over-powering the sun. The title of this work is, “We are the Nearest to the Sun.” This work speaks to the consequences of this position. Being the closets means a) that you are blessed with more light than those who are further…but if you do anything to “pollute” the world, it can block that light. I believe this works speaks to a direct relationship between the land ‘nearest to the sun’ and the effects of their actions in the eyes of the rest of the world.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by kristin godfrey http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-151 kristin godfrey Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:06:33 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-151 The maze like structure running up the mountain creates confusion and chaos while still being orderly. I feel as if the people are following the maze to the top, trying to get to the red flag. The red flag is the peak of the mountain, but also the height of a successful life. To me it represents the Tibetan people fleeing from and fighting the Chinese, in hopes of getting to the top of their allegorical mountain. The yellow color of the mountain as well as the red of the flag remind me of the color worn by traditional Buddhist monks. Thus the picture is a commentary on Tibetan Buddhism and the fight by the Tibetan people to get back on top and rule themselves once again. The smoke is the cloud of oppression looming over them. This is beautiful and evocative picture rife with social criticism. The maze like structure running up the mountain creates confusion and chaos while still being orderly. I feel as if the people are following the maze to the top, trying to get to the red flag. The red flag is the peak of the mountain, but also the height of a successful life. To me it represents the Tibetan people fleeing from and fighting the Chinese, in hopes of getting to the top of their allegorical mountain. The yellow color of the mountain as well as the red of the flag remind me of the color worn by traditional Buddhist monks. Thus the picture is a commentary on Tibetan Buddhism and the fight by the Tibetan people to get back on top and rule themselves once again. The smoke is the cloud of oppression looming over them. This is beautiful and evocative picture rife with social criticism.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by Mitchell S http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-150 Mitchell S Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:03:15 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-150 I see a people thriving through its culture and art, despite (or perhaps because of) its harsh position at the top of the world. I see a people thriving through its culture and art, despite (or perhaps because of) its harsh position at the top of the world.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by JGC http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-149 JGC Sat, 11 Dec 2010 22:43:43 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-149 It seems to me that this drawing represents an old Tibetan community, similar to those rendered in other Sino-Tibetan landscapes. The cloud escaping, represents fleeting Tibetan identities. The people are lined up to reach the top of the mountain village in hopes to get close to the escaping smoke. Saying we are nearest to the sun seems to hint towards the idea that Tibet is nearest towards the source of life, or the creator. Yet modern Tibetans living in exile are so far from their homeland or the source of their life. It seems to me that this drawing represents an old Tibetan community, similar to those rendered in other Sino-Tibetan landscapes.

The cloud escaping, represents fleeting Tibetan identities. The people are lined up to reach the top of the mountain village in hopes to get close to the escaping smoke.

Saying we are nearest to the sun seems to hint towards the idea that Tibet is nearest towards the source of life, or the creator. Yet modern Tibetans living in exile are so far from their homeland or the source of their life.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by Ashley Ball http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-148 Ashley Ball Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:47:53 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-148 The position of Tibetans in context to each other and to the rest of the world is being transformed. This painting shows the different Tibetan communities compartmentalized just as they are in the world because of diaspora from the Chinese occupation of Tibet. However, as this painting illustrates these communities even if partially segregated still exist as a unified and energetic conglomeration of Tibetan identities. And together these identities create the homeland of Tibet and thus even if dislocated the Tibetan culture is preserved through those who continue to embrace their identity even while incorporating external cultural influences. Allowing the Tibetans who are no longer geographically closest to the sun to still be internally as integral a part of the homeland. The position of Tibetans in context to each other and to the rest of the world is being transformed. This painting shows the different Tibetan communities compartmentalized just as they are in the world because of diaspora from the Chinese occupation of Tibet. However, as this painting illustrates these communities even if partially segregated still exist as a unified and energetic conglomeration of Tibetan identities. And together these identities create the homeland of Tibet and thus even if dislocated the Tibetan culture is preserved through those who continue to embrace their identity even while incorporating external cultural influences. Allowing the Tibetans who are no longer geographically closest to the sun to still be internally as integral a part of the homeland.

]]> Comment on We are Nearest to the Sun by LF http://traditions.rma2.org/we-are-nearest-to-the-sun/comment-page-1#comment-147 LF Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:19:37 +0000 http://localhost/traditions/?page_id=35#comment-147 I see the organization and strict separation of forms of the traditional thanka painting being transformed into a composition of lines and forms that intersect. Although preserving some cultural elements (such as some of the ornamentation and the medium), this painting is compositionally so different than its predecessors. I think this structure communicates Dedron's message of being "closest to the sun" because of the sharp angle that directs the viewer's eye up in the direction of the sun. She does not use the strict organization as artists have in the past to connect with Mt. Meru, but instead transforms this tradition to convey her personal message. I see the organization and strict separation of forms of the traditional thanka painting being transformed into a composition of lines and forms that intersect. Although preserving some cultural elements (such as some of the ornamentation and the medium), this painting is compositionally so different than its predecessors. I think this structure communicates Dedron’s message of being “closest to the sun” because of the sharp angle that directs the viewer’s eye up in the direction of the sun. She does not use the strict organization as artists have in the past to connect with Mt. Meru, but instead transforms this tradition to convey her personal message.

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