For my field project I decided to go to Metropolitan Museum of Art. Personally I love Asian Art wing for its calm atmosphere. Every time I visit it, I discover new intriguing objects. I was always interested in art and symbolism, and my aim for this project was to find an artwork that would not be just beautiful eye-catching piece, but an object that enclose some deeper meaning. The idea was rather vague, however I was positive about its outcome, I knew I would discover something interesting.
I usually go to Met early in the morning when there is not a lot of visitors and most galleries are empty. This creates unique experience of almost intimate communication with art objects. When I reached South Asia galleries, I found myself surrounded by many beautiful statues of gods and goddesses from Hindu pantheon. There were huge sculptures carved from stone and miniature metal statuettes. Every artwork was so special in its execution, texture and details. The question was how …show more content…
The object is made of copper, 27 inches high, and 22 inches in diameter, and it is dated to 11th century and belongs to Chola period. It has very smooth surface and decorated with carvings. The artwork depicts god Shiva who is known to be intricate, multidimensional deity. At first glance, he carries quite opposite characteristics. On one side he symbolizes ultimate asceticism, he is a master yogi, who overcomes himself and now possess an incredible wisdom. His zealous austerity and deep meditation create inner heat (tapas), which also makes him tremendously powerful being. However on other side, through his asceticism which leads to withdrawal from sexual relationship, he is able to hold his seed, and it makes Shiva charged with erotic energy (193). This polarity also correspond with his three major aspects - creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. Shiva becomes the deity that penetrates every aspect of possible
I usually go to Met early in the morning when there is not a lot of visitors and most galleries are empty. This creates unique experience of almost intimate communication with art objects. When I reached South Asia galleries, I found myself surrounded by many beautiful statues of gods and goddesses from Hindu pantheon. There were huge sculptures carved from stone and miniature metal statuettes. Every artwork was so special in its execution, texture and details. The question was how …show more content…
The object is made of copper, 27 inches high, and 22 inches in diameter, and it is dated to 11th century and belongs to Chola period. It has very smooth surface and decorated with carvings. The artwork depicts god Shiva who is known to be intricate, multidimensional deity. At first glance, he carries quite opposite characteristics. On one side he symbolizes ultimate asceticism, he is a master yogi, who overcomes himself and now possess an incredible wisdom. His zealous austerity and deep meditation create inner heat (tapas), which also makes him tremendously powerful being. However on other side, through his asceticism which leads to withdrawal from sexual relationship, he is able to hold his seed, and it makes Shiva charged with erotic energy (193). This polarity also correspond with his three major aspects - creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. Shiva becomes the deity that penetrates every aspect of possible