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Los Angeles Times
21-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
LACMA's great Buddhist art collection, pulled out of storage, is an irresistible force
'Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia' is a large and engaging presentation that includes some of the most splendid sculptures and paintings in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It's great to see these works again. Most of the art was packed up around eight years ago in preparation for the demolition of the museum's original campus and construction of a new permanent collection building. The current offering of around 180 objects, installed in the temporary exhibition spaces of the Resnick Pavilion, is a version of what was then sent on tour, presented in 2018 at Mexico City's incomparable National Museum of Anthropology. (LACMA Deputy Director Diana Magaloni was former director there.) Subsequent planned travel to art museums in Texas and the Pacific Northwest were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the work went back into storage. It has been unavailable for hometown public viewing for a very long time. Siddhartha Gautama is accepted by most scholars as the historical figure Shakyamuni Buddha, or sage of the Shakya clan, who was born in Nepal and lived in India around the 5th century BCE. Representations of the religious teacher started out as nearly abstract symbols a few thousand years ago — a starburst shape inside a spiraling whorl, for example, which configures an emanation of light within an eternal flow. A Bodhi tree might signal the sacred place where Buddha's deep insight into enlightenment occurred, or a drawn or carved footprint would be suggestive of following a path. But no biographical texts emerged for several hundred years after his death. Legend and religious doctrine intertwined over centuries, splintering and reconfiguring and taking on new dimensions as they encountered scores of established cultures across South and Southeast Asia and beyond — Daoist philosophy in China, say, or Shinto religion in Japan. Eventually, figurative representations took shape. Needless to say, as they proliferated in what are modern Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Korea and more, Buddha took on a variety of forms. LACMA has scores of fine examples, large and as in an exquisite 8th century brass and silver cast from Kashmir, just 16 inches tall, he is seated with legs crossed and fingers entwined, counting earthly elements like fire and water being absorbed into the mind. In Tang Dynasty China he sits isolated in regal splendor, like an emperor carved in timeless white stone atop an elegantly draped cushion. In the next room, a sturdy Burmese Buddha wearing a transparent garment of reddish lacquered wood raises an oversize right hand in a jumbo gesture of peace, extending an open left hand that seems caught in mid-motion. (There are scores of symbolic Buddhist hand gestures, called mudras.) A life-size columnar figure carved from sober gray schist, familiar from the Gandhara region of Pakistan, likewise raises a peace mudra, but here the cascading folds of his tunic's drapery signal a military history of Greco-Roman interactions dating to the expansionist conquests of Alexander the Great. Any religion that's thousands of years old and practiced in innumerable places will be beyond complicated in doctrine and nuance, and Buddhism is no exception. Deciphering them here is a scholar's task. The names of individual artists are also mostly lost to us. However, what all these different iterations share stylistically, regardless of whatever embellishments surround the Buddha, is a sense of stable, enduring calm at the core. At all times idealized in his physical features, he's the living embodiment of the irresistible force paradox — an immovable power and an unstoppable object all at once. Also on view are ritual tools, like a jewel-encrusted crown, ceremonial knives and a lovely offering cabinet adorned with paintings of fierce, glowering demons that caution anyone who might dare to disturb whatever the cupboard holds. Back off! Sculptures and paintings of poets, lamas, deities and especially bodhisattvas — earthly helpers who have postponed their own entry into nirvana, where suffering disappears, in order to help others find their way — are nearly as numerous and varied as Buddha Shakyamuni himself. Some are wildly extravagant, proliferating heads and arms into delirious phantasms of multiple personality and manifold astounding 15th century painting on cotton cloth is a fiery image of sexual coupling between deities, a crimson female figure with both legs wrapped around an ashy blue man. He stands on one straight leg with the other athletically bent, forming a robust stance designed to stabilize an ecstatic act of energetic intercourse. Like fluttering wings, his 12 elegantly splayed arms wield an array of esoteric symbols around her excited body, while her single arm raises what appears to be a ritual blade high overhead. His flaming-eyed face is frontal, hers is overlaid in perfect profile. The shrewd composition abuts their lips, so that they are just about to touch in a kiss. Chakrasamvara, the blue-man emblem of compassion, is being embraced by his consort, Vajravarahi, bright red symbol of wisdom, in a spectacularly explosive display whose arrested design seems intended as a spur to deep meditation. They are on the brink, and so, it is to be hoped, are we. The installation of 'Realms of the Dharma' is pretty straightforward. The first section introduces Siddhartha Gautama. A few wall texts outline basic Buddhist principles and the religion's two major forms — Theravada (or monastic) and Mahayana (sort of 'Buddhism for all'). From there, most objects are clustered by simple chronology and the region where they were made. That organizational scheme for such varied works of art is standard for permanent museum collections. It's rather unusual at LACMA, though, given the timing. Earlier this month, previews were held of the empty new building for the permanent collection, the David Geffen Galleries, explicitly designed to replace chronology and geography with art clustered by theme. Press materials for 'Dharma' suggest it's a thematic package, with the exhibition as a means to learn about Buddhism. That reduces art to illustration, but happily the installation doesn't come across that way. Art museums are great places to learn about art — about how it's made, by whom and why — but not so great for religious education. 'Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia' and its handsome scholarly catalog, written by LACMA curator Stephen Little and former associate curator Tushara Bindu Gude, are good at that. But would an American art museum ever do a show on the theme of, say, 'Transubstantiation: Catholic Art Across Europe and the United States,' in order to teach the diverse subtleties and dynastic refinements of a belief in the conversion of bread and wine into flesh and blood? Probably not. Aside from trying to wedge such wildly disparate Catholic artists as Fra Bartolomeo, Paul Cézanne, Tsuguharu Foujita and Andy Warhol into a single coherent exhibition, reducing art to illustration just undermines it. The temptation to frame Buddhist art that way is surely a function of the religion's unfamiliarity, its 'exoticism,' except in shallow pop culture terms. Of the roughly half-billion Buddhists worldwide, less than 1% of Americans identify with it. According to a fascinating March study from the Pew Research Center, Buddhism is today second only to Christianity in experiencing especially large losses in adherents globally, with former followers switching to other faiths or, more often, now expressing no religious affiliation at all. The majority live in California, a primary entry point for Asian immigration to the United States, but barely 100,000 Buddhists are estimated to practice in Los Angeles. Also useful for museum audiences for a permanent collection show would be some acknowledgment of complex issues around the history of this sacred art's ownership. More than one LACMA work has been contested as stolen, including an impressive 15th century painting from Nepal of an important Buddhist spiritual master named Vanaratna. LACMA bought the painting in 1977, when collecting standards were very different than they are now. The wall label, without making a definitive declaration, would be an ideal place to introduce the important subject of case-by-case provenance research, but the subject is ignored. 'Realms of the Dharma' will remain on view for a year, closing in July 2026. That means LACMA's Buddhist masterworks won't be in the Geffen building when it debuts in April next year, or anytime soon after that. (Architect Peter Zumthor is testing paint glazes for some of the Geffen's all-concrete walls, although a final decision on whether to add color has not been made.) The show is sensitively installed in Resnick. Given the art's nearly decade-long hiatus from L.A., it's worth visiting more than once during the next several months, before it disappears again.
UPI
23-05-2025
- General
- UPI
Renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado dies at 81
Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado speaks during a news conference at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City on February. He died at the age of 81 on Friday. Photo by Isaac Esquivel/EPA-EFE May 23 (UPI) -- Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, whose black-and-white photographs documented human suffering and destruction of the Amazon rainforest, died Friday. He was 81. The Instituto Terra, the environmental restoration nonprofit he founded with his wife of six decades, Lelia Wanick Salgado, confirmed his death. "Sebastiao was much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time," Instituto Terra wrote. "His lens revealed the world and its contradictions; his life, the power of transformative action." The nonprofit didn't say where he died. In 2010, Salgado had developed leukemia due to complications from malaria contracted in Indonesia, his family said in a statement. "I know I won't live much longer," Salgado told the Guardian in an interview last year. "But I don't want to live much longer. I've lived so much and seen so many things." Over five decades, he went to more than 130 countries. Many of his photographs are on his Facebook site. He used expressive lighting for the compositions in displaying human suffering. "Why should the poor world be uglier than the rich world?" he asked last year. "The light here is the same as there. The dignity here is the same as there." His photographs also showed the destruction of the planet. In 1986, he captured illegal gold miners toiling in the anthill-like Serra Pelada mine in the Amazon. His last book, Amazonia, in 2021, contains more than 200 photographs. Currently on display in Brussels, there are the Amazon's lush landscapes, curving rivers and diverse Indigenous peoples. He spotlighted the wealth of the rainforest as it faces an increased threat of destruction from human activities and the climate crisis. "We are presenting a different Amazonia," Salgado told CNN in 2021. "There are no fires, no destruction -- the Amazonia that must stay there forever. "We cannot build our future -- the future of humanity-based only on technology," Salgado continued. "We must look at our past; we must take into consideration anything that we did in our history. Human beings have a huge opportunity: the prehistory of humanity is in Amazonia now." Salgado helped restore the native Atlantic forest on the family farm in Minas Gerais. In 2021, he told CNN that he and volunteers had planted more than 3 million trees over 22 years there. "We can rebuild the planet that we destroyed, and we must," Salgado said. He was in the process of archiving more than 500,000 photos for sale. "We will keep honoring his legacy, cultivating the land, justice and beauty he so believed was possible to restore," the institute said. Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, observed a minute of silence when he learned of Salgado's death during an event in Brasília. He said Salgao's work was "a warning for the conscience of all of humanity. Salgado didn't only use his eyes and his camera to portray people: he also used the fullness of his soul and heart." He was born in rural Minas Gerais, Brazil, and studied economics in Sao Paulo. He moved to Paris during the political repression of Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship from 1964-1985. He took up photography in the 1970s. He was named an honorary member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992, and the French Academy of Fine Arts in 2016. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Skip the crowds at Chichen Itza for these lesser-known Maya sites
Nestled in the jungles of the Yucatán, about 45 minutes from Valladolid, lies one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites—Chichén Itzá. Once a thriving Maya city with an estimated 35,000 residents, it now draws crowds of visitors from around the world to admire its grand temples and explore the region's rich history. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and later named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá continues to break visitation records. While its significance and beauty is undeniable, it's also expensive to visit and overcrowded. For those seeking a quieter, more affordable alternative, these three hidden temples offer a chance to explore the Yucatán Peninsula's lesser-known archaeological sites. (Why the idea that the Maya civilization 'collapsed' is wrong) The Maya civilization once stretched across present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. At its peak, it had over 2 million people spread across its empire with its most powerful cities in what is now Yucatán and northern Guatemala. Nestled in the dense Lacandón rain forest in Chiapas, Palenque is one of the most impressive Maya sites, known for its multi-level pyramids, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and hidden crypts home to dozens of archeological treasures. Its most famous structure, the Temple of the Inscriptions, has provided archeologists an invaluable look into the Mayan civilization. Partly thanks to its well-protected and detailed hieroglyphics, but also from the crypt below. The 7th century ruler K'inich Janaab' Pakal was buried in the crypt with a beautiful jade mask. The mask is considered one of the biggest archeological finds from the Maya civilization and can be seen in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology. Excavation of Palenque began in the 1940s and remains ongoing. Despite decades worth of work, less than 10 percent of the 1,780-hectare city has been explored; Palenque still holds countless secrets beneath the jungle. You can stay in the city of Palenque for your visit or at one of the more rural eco-lodges and resorts tucked away in the jungle. Hotel Maya Bell is just around the corner from Palenque's entrance; it has charming thatch roof bungalows with air conditioning and an on-site restaurant and pool. Hidden deep in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, this ancient city is one of the least-visited Maya sites. Swallowed by dense jungle for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1931 by biologist Cyrus Longworth Lundell. Calakmul, meaning 'the city of the adjacent pyramids,' is one of the largest Maya cities, with thousands of structures sprinkled across it's 331,397 hectares. Historians believe it was the political heart of the Kaanul, or Snake Dynasty, one of the most powerful Maya dynasties during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.). White limestone roads, known as sacbés, connected Calakmul to nearby cities, forming an ancient highway system used for military, diplomatic, and trade alliances. Visiting Calakmul feels like stepping into an Indiana Jones movie, with a high chance of spotting monkeys, turkeys, toucans, and possibly jaguars. Reaching it requires three separate entrance tickets and a 90-minute drive from the nearest train station. Guided tours are encouraged for this reason and usually last around five-to-seven hours. Plan to spend the night in the nearby village of Conhuas or La Selva, Campeche. Entrance tickets, restaurants, and tour guide costs will be cash only, so come prepared with Mexican pesos. (In search of the lost empire of the Maya) Roughly four hours from Cancún and on the way to Mérida, Uxmal was a major city during the Late Classic Period and part of the League of Mayapán. It is one of the best places to see Puuc-style architecture, similar to Chichén Itzá. While its towering limestone pyramids now stand bare, they were once coated in smooth white stucco made by burning trees. Uxmal's buildings aren't laid out with a traditional courtyard design but instead align with the celestial movement of Venus. This makes Uxmal a special place to visit in different seasons, although not as famous as Chichén Itzá on spring equinox. The Pyramid of the Magician, the tallest temple in Uxmal, looms over what was once the city's residential district. Guided tours provide insight into Maya culture, including sacrificial rituals, the Mesoamerican ballgame, and legends like La Casa del Enano, House of the Dwarf, a pyramid said to have been built overnight by a magical dwarf who later ruled Uxmal. One of Uxmal's most distinctive features is the House of the Pigeons, a 240-foot-long structure lined with pyramid-like formations that was named for its resemblance to a pigeon roost. Roughly one hour from Mérida, Uxmal is an easy day trip and a great alternative to the more crowded and expensive Chichén Itzá. Mérida is a fantastic place to stay nearby, with delicious Yucatán cuisine and vibrant streets to explore. Liz Brumer-Smith is a Florida-based freelance writer and travel creator behind the channel Eat See TV. In 2017, she and her husband hit the road full-time in their RV with their two cats, exploring North America and documenting their adventures on YouTube and their blog. Today, Liz shares stories of food, culture, and destinations around the globe.
National Geographic
19-05-2025
- National Geographic
3 of Mexico's lesser-known archaeological wonders
Nestled in the jungles of the Yucatán, about 45 minutes from Valladolid, lies one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites—Chichén Itzá. Once a thriving Maya city with an estimated 35,000 residents, it now draws crowds of visitors from around the world to admire its grand temples and explore the region's rich history. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and later named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá continues to break visitation records. While its significance and beauty is undeniable, it's also expensive to visit and overcrowded. For those seeking a quieter, more affordable alternative, these three hidden temples offer a chance to explore the Yucatán Peninsula's lesser-known archaeological sites. (Why the idea that the Maya civilization 'collapsed' is wrong) Palenque The Maya civilization once stretched across present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. At its peak, it had over 2 million people spread across its empire with its most powerful cities in what is now Yucatán and northern Guatemala. Nestled in the dense Lacandón rain forest in Chiapas, Palenque is one of the most impressive Maya sites, known for its multi-level pyramids, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and hidden crypts home to dozens of archeological treasures. Its most famous structure, the Temple of the Inscriptions, has provided archeologists an invaluable look into the Mayan civilization. Partly thanks to its well-protected and detailed hieroglyphics, but also from the crypt below. The 7th century ruler K'inich Janaab' Pakal was buried in the crypt with a beautiful jade mask. The mask is considered one of the biggest archeological finds from the Maya civilization and can be seen in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology. Excavation of Palenque began in the 1940s and remains ongoing. Despite decades worth of work, less than 10 percent of the 1,780-hectare city has been explored; Palenque still holds countless secrets beneath the jungle. You can stay in the city of Palenque for your visit or at one of the more rural eco-lodges and resorts tucked away in the jungle. Hotel Maya Bell is just around the corner from Palenque's entrance; it has charming thatch roof bungalows with air conditioning and an on-site restaurant and pool. Calakmul, Campeche Hidden deep in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, this ancient city is one of the least-visited Maya sites. Swallowed by dense jungle for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1931 by biologist Cyrus Longworth Lundell. Calakmul, meaning 'the city of the adjacent pyramids,' is one of the largest Maya cities, with thousands of structures sprinkled across it's 331,397 hectares. Historians believe it was the political heart of the Kaanul, or Snake Dynasty, one of the most powerful Maya dynasties during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.). White limestone roads, known as sacbés, connected Calakmul to nearby cities, forming an ancient highway system used for military, diplomatic, and trade alliances. Visiting Calakmul feels like stepping into an Indiana Jones movie, with a high chance of spotting monkeys, turkeys, toucans, and possibly jaguars. Reaching it requires three separate entrance tickets and a 90-minute drive from the nearest train station. Guided tours are encouraged for this reason and usually last around five-to-seven hours. Plan to spend the night in the nearby village of Conhuas or La Selva, Campeche. Entrance tickets, restaurants, and tour guide costs will be cash only, so come prepared with Mexican pesos. (In search of the lost empire of the Maya) Uxmal Roughly four hours from Cancún and on the way to Mérida, Uxmal was a major city during the Late Classic Period and part of the League of Mayapán. It is one of the best places to see Puuc-style architecture, similar to Chichén Itzá. While its towering limestone pyramids now stand bare, they were once coated in smooth white stucco made by burning trees. Uxmal's buildings aren't laid out with a traditional courtyard design but instead align with the celestial movement of Venus. This makes Uxmal a special place to visit in different seasons, although not as famous as Chichén Itzá on spring equinox. The Pyramid of the Magician, the tallest temple in Uxmal, looms over what was once the city's residential district. Guided tours provide insight into Maya culture, including sacrificial rituals, the Mesoamerican ballgame, and legends like La Casa del Enano, House of the Dwarf, a pyramid said to have been built overnight by a magical dwarf who later ruled Uxmal. One of Uxmal's most distinctive features is the House of the Pigeons, a 240-foot-long structure lined with pyramid-like formations that was named for its resemblance to a pigeon roost. Roughly one hour from Mérida, Uxmal is an easy day trip and a great alternative to the more crowded and expensive Chichén Itzá. Mérida is a fantastic place to stay nearby, with delicious Yucatán cuisine and vibrant streets to explore. Liz Brumer-Smith is a Florida-based freelance writer and travel creator behind the channel Eat See TV. In 2017, she and her husband hit the road full-time in their RV with their two cats, exploring North America and documenting their adventures on YouTube and their blog. Today, Liz shares stories of food, culture, and destinations around the globe.
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Katy Perry's Mexican Escape Just Rewrote Our Travel Bucket List
Katy Perry took to her Instagram to share snippets from her time in Mexico. She was in Mexico as a part of her The Lifetimes Tour. Katy Perry never misses a chance to live life to the fullest, and her recent Mexico stop during The Lifetimes Tour was no different. Known for her bold style and adventurous spirit, Katy didn't just light up the stage, she dove headfirst into everything the vibrant country had to offer. Between electrifying performances and soaking in local culture, Katy Perry gave fans a real-time glimpse into her colourful detour. From savouring avocado-caviar delicacies to unwinding in whimsical sculpture gardens, and goofing around with her girl gang to sampling street-side roasted corn, Katy gave fans a vibrant peek into her off-stage adventures. She captioned her post with 'Tia Katy's Mexico Adventures on The Lifetimes Tour". If Katy's avocado-caviar bites and sculpture garden strolls have sparked your wanderlust, here are five must-visit destinations where you can live out your own Lifetimes Tour-inspired adventure. The buzzing cultural capital, Mexico City, is a treasure trove of art, history, and flavour. Wander through iconic landmarks like the Zócalo, soak in the genius at the Frida Kahlo Museum, or dive deep into history at the National Museum of Anthropology. 2. Chichén Itzá Channel your inner explorer at this awe-inspiring Mayan wonder. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá will leave you mesmerised by ancient brilliance. 3. Tulum Dreamy coastlines meet boho-chic bliss in Tulum. With its turquoise waters, beachfront yoga spots, and ancient ruins, this serene Caribbean getaway is the perfect place to unplug — Perry-style. 4. Guanajuato Colourful, quirky, and bursting with old-world charm, Guanajuato is a kaleidoscope of underground alleys, vibrant plazas, and stunning baroque architecture. It's giving Teenage Dream energy in the best way possible. 5. Cancún When in doubt, beach it out. Cancún's luxe resorts, crystal-clear waters, and thrilling water sports make it the ultimate destination for sun-chasers and sea-lovers. First Published:
