G'day Jaina and all,
Many thanks to you
Jaina for a glimpse of an ancient and wonderous past. I personally have
always been drawn to the history and magnificence of the cultures of old.
While the ordinary people of those days doubtless had periods of plenty,
as today, there would have been as much austerity as is often experienced
nowadays.
Looking at the monumental art remaining from the past we
are taken beyond the realities of today, towards something quite
undefineable I think, something that transcends our interpretation of
culture as we experience it in our different parts of the world.
There is no true global culture (with the exception of America's
style of things
) thankfully, but I am not too
sure that in the days before instant communication, that 'culture' was not
foisted onto a people by their conquorers in a manner that might have been
considered 'global' in their fashion. Such as prominent designs in the
rugs of the day perhaps?
Global then, obviously was a much smaller
space than we know it to be...
although Im still bemused by some
designs which seem to have arisen contemporaneously in Asia and the
Central and Southern America's, many thousands of miles
apart.
Buddhism in its many forms has left a vast amount of style
and design which remains with us and perpetuates onward. The ancient art
of India has penetrated great distances throughout the breadth of Asia
east and west and also helps prolong the iconic forms of its
culture.
From the pictures shown by Jaina of the stonework people
of Cambodia we see in the carvings graceful execution, a style and
elegance which draws strong parallels with the ancient stonework
throughout India. The patterns and draped execution of the fabric clothing
the carvings are not so dissimilar from the floral and geometric forms
couturiers of our time offer to attract interest. People who could either
create it or afford it, have loved colour, shape and form probably since
time immemorial and hopefully, always will.
Thanks also Jaina for
the interesting links to your previous interests and
work.
Regards,
Marty.