Chris banished this mask from the house because she found it too disturbing to see.  Now that I'm studying Asian art, I'm learning the good side of these frightening images.  Frightening images called makaras are often found above doorways of temples.  They serve to mark the transition between the material e world and the spiritual world.  The frightening mask holds at bay and dispels evil -- so actually it is a guardian. 

Why so frightening?  the protective guardian, must be EQUAL to whatever evil it may encounter. 

The training of future docents became a little more real to me last week.  My assignment was to "shadow" a 6th grade field trip visit to the Asian Art Museum and observe the docents, kids, and parents to see learn what to expect.  I found 6th graders are great.  Their old enough to really engage with the art yet not too old to feel the whole experience is just not cool enough to warrant their attention.  In this photo above they are lining up in front of the museum as the teacher distributes tickets to each one.  Bless public school teachers!

We think of "western" civilization of having its origins in the ideas and culture of Greece and we don't think it strange to see buildings using design motifs or even Greek deities from Greek temples -- just look at Washington DC.  We use these on our buildings because we admired Greek culture and philosophy.  Greece did not directly influence or conquer us. 

The term "influence" implies dominance or inferiority on the part of the adoptee so we use the term  "Localization" instead -- an awkward term, but they haven't found a better one yet.  The presence of a Hindu deity in Java is similar.  The Javanese "localized" Indian religion and culture.

By the way, I gave an 8 minute presentation on this piece this afternoon.

As part of my Asian Art Museum docent training, we're learning different techniques of engaging people with the art.  The latest technique we practiced was "compare and contrast".  By comparing two different objects, it allows people to focus and really look at each one. 

These two objects were assigned to me to present using the compare and contrast technique.  I asked the "visitors" to pretend they were buying these as gifts for two different people and to decide which is the most appropriate for each person. 

As an Asian Art Museum Docent trainee, I had the assignment of giving a 3 minute presentation on meaning of the colored pattern behind this seated Buddha.  The museums curators haven't come to a conclusion as to what it represents as there are several possible interpretations.

One interpretation is that the background is a hood of snakes based on the story of Buddha's 7 week meditation at Bodhgaya.  According to the story, during the 6th week a great rain storm arose and the snake deity rose to form a protecting cape to keep the Buddha dry. 

Others believe it represents fire -- showing Buddha's enlightenment.  Still others believe the pattern shows lotus leaves -- a continuation of a lotus leaf base  -- a common buddhist theseen many times.   I pondered this for a while as the three little knobs at the top and sides certainly could represent cobra heads.  If they were cobra heads, then perhaps the top and back of the sculpture would reinforce that ideal - so I tried to get a glimpse of the back.  Although it wasn't possible to see the back since it is up against the wall, I went up to the side as close as possible.  I was surprised NOT to see a continuation of the knobs as snakes, but a field of  objects that looked very flower-like to me.  My conclusion is the background represents lotus leaves rather than a hood of cobra snakes -- but that's only my opinion.  If you look at the museum's website for the Seated Buddha, you will see a picture of the back that clearly shows a field of flowers.