The Buddha’s feet: art and ideas in a great age of pilgrimage.
“We don’t think about pilgrimage in this country. … The idea of taking a six-week walk is totally foreign to most Americans. But it’s probably exactly what we need.” —Emelio Estevez.
Trying to figure out a good way to introduce the concept of “aniconism.” Very important concept in art!
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
Often in the history of art, it has been preferred that some religious figures are only indirectly depicted. With a symbol, maybe.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
This was the case with early buddhist art. The earliest art makes reference to the founder of buddhism but doesn’t depict him.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
Aniconism is pretty common actually. It also occurs in Christianity… just not all branches of it.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
In art, aniconism is an important word to know because images are not just images— there are often very complicated ideas attached.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
Aniconism also suggests that the most historically ironic cultural treasures in the world could be the giant buddha statues of Bamiyan.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
These statues no longer exist. They were blown up a few years ago. What remains are gigantic, significantly empty holes in the mountainside.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
Earlier in 2014, shocking news emerged that unauthorized construction of giant buddha feet has been taking place in the holes.
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
The reconstruction of unauthorized giant feet poses an interesting question — what needs served by return of the giant Buddha’s feet?
— Desk. (@leanneriding) January 27, 2015
