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THE CULTURE OF MYANMAR

ELENA BANICA

San Jose State University

Art 139–01: Teaching Diversity through Art

Fall 2022

Theravada Buddhism

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COLLAGE

Elena Banica
Myanmar Culture
September 9, 2022
Photo Collage on painting (acrylic on paper): 16 in X 20.3 in.

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Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne�

Approx. 1860–1880
Myanmar (Burma); Mandalay area
Wood and iron, with lacquer, gilding, and mirrored glass
Gift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Southeast
San Francisco Asian Art Museum, Asian Art Collection, 2006.27.17 and 2006.27.1.a-.t
https://collections.asianart.org/collection/crowned-and-bejeweled-buddha-image-and-throne/

ARTWORK INSPIRATION

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Elena Banica, Myanmar Culture, Fall 2022, Photo Collage on painting (acrylic on paper): 16 in X 20.3 in.�

Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne

Approx. 1860–1880

Myanmar (Burma); Mandalay area

Wood and iron, with lacquer, gilding, and mirrored glass

Gift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Southeast Asian Art

San Francisco Asian Art Museum

Collection, 2006.27.17 and 2006.27.1.a-.t .

https://collections.asianart.org/collection/crowned-and-bejeweled-buddha-image-and-throne/

College and Artwork Inspiration

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The Culture of Myanmar - Symbolic Level

The throne has a royal and cosmic symbol:

Lower Tiers:

the world - the mountain ranges
Mount Meru - the center of the universe
dharma - sacred Buddhist text

Upper Tiers:

the higher heavens

Parasol:

high rank

the call of the Earth
the three Jewels of Buddhism
Buddha’s grandeur, authority, and message
the Power of Buddhism

The Crowned Buddha Enthroned:

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The Culture of Myanmar - Behavioral Level

Buddha’s Teaching:

-Buddha's teaching - the heart and mind of man.

Dharma – the law of the universe to achieve Nirvana.

Gender Role:

gender inequality

males are leaders
women take on other responsibilities

Body Language:

right hand - the call of the earth

left hand - the three Jewels of Buddhism

seated position - peace and tranquility.

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The Culture of Myanmar -Concrete Level

Mandalay Style:

Rich colors
The use of gilding and lacquer
Intricate decoration

Materials used:

Wood
Iron
Lacquer
Gild
Mirrored glass

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2- Voice Poem

2 VOICE POEM

Elena VOICE ONE	Andres VOICE TWO	BOTH VOICES
1. The unusual representation of Buddha in the Myanmar culture inspired me. 2. I found the information on the San Francisco Asian Art Museum website. 3. First, I painted the Legion Stonehenge paper. Then, I prepared the materials and glued them. 4. I compared my collage with the artwork inspiration to make it look more expressive. 5. I would use this project to teach children about diversity, three levels of culture, and some similarities between cultures.	1. I was inspired by the beliefs of my families lost culture � 2. Google Scholar was my friend, linking me to informative articles � 3. I gathered organic materials form around my yard, using raw clay I gathered from a lake � 4. I originally was going to work off paper but it did not feel right, it needed to be more tactile � 5. I would tell my students to look further than normal art supplies	1. We were both inspired by the wonders of the culture. 2. We both researched through the Art Museum websites. 3. We both chose the materials carefully to express the cultures. 4. We both wanted to give powerful qualities to our collages. 5. We both want to use our collages to teach diversity.

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REFERENCES

Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne. (n.d.). Asian Art Museum. Retrieved on November 22, 2022, from https://collections.asianart.org/collection/crowned-and-bejeweled-buddha-image-and-throne/

Masterpiece: Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne shrine. (n.d.). Google Art & Culture. Retrieved on November 22, 2022, from https://artsandculture.google.com/story/masterpiece-crowned-and-bejeweled-buddha-image-and-throne-shrine-asian-art-museum/ygXBxeFVdF6KIQ?hl=en

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THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS?