How I Visited Denver Art Museum - Essay Example

?[Your full full November 17, Denver Art Museum Denver art museum is one of the most famous museums located in the United States of America. The museum is famous for its exhibitions and art galleries where we can experience an array of different forms of art such as African art, Asian art, Pre-Columbian art, Native American art, African contemporary art, and Western American art. Denver art museum also houses collections of oceanic and textile arts and people come from different parts of the world to view them. “The museum offers educational programs for the children as well as the adults” (Matney). The museum is very large in area. When I entered into the museum, I felt like entering into a new world, which was a world of art and creativity. An important thing that I noticed was the behavior of the administrative staff. The administrative staff of the museum was very cooperative and well mannered. During my visit, I saw a large number of people from different backgrounds, races, and religions in the museum. Everyone was admiring the collection of artworks as well as the way the artworks were housed in the museum. However, the number of people present in the museum was the least enjoyable factor for me because I could not get the assistance of the administration staff properly. There were a large number of people whereas the number of staff members was very less. The most enjoyable thing for me was the light music that was being played which was adding to the beauty of overall environment of the museum. Another considerable thing was the ethnic and cultural diversity of America that Denver art museum reveals. I can never forget my trip to the Denver art museum because it created a new image of America in my mind, which was the image of a culturally diverse America. Let me now describe two pieces of art from Asian art, which I really liked on my trip to the museum. 1. Shiva, King of Dancers Retrieved from http://www.denverartmuseum.org/explore_art/collections/objectDetails/objectId--104894 ‘Shiva, King of Dancers’ was created by an Indian artistic genius, named Narja Narayan according to some art historians, in the tenth century AD. The sculpture was created using bronze material and the dimensions of the sculpture are 111.51 x 101.64 cm (43 6/8 x 40.5 inches). Shiva, represented as Nataraja, is one of the most amazing symbols of divine powers. Storl states, “As Nataraja, Shiva appears as the king of dancers with a drum in one hand and a fire in the other” (34). The sculpture reveals a concept of Shiva dancing in and out of the existence of the world. “The sound of his drum heralds its creation; his burning flame signals its final conflagration” (“Asian Art”). In the sculpture, it is shown that one hand of Shiva is up whereas the other one is down. The up hand shows that Shiva is relieving the emotions of fear whereas the other hand is towards his foot, which he has raised up in a dancing position revealing the sense of freedom. According to Berkson, Shiva shows a trancelike face expression in the sculpture (12). Shiva is shown dancing in a circle of time revealing a sense of independence and self-rule. Summing it up, the bronze made sculpture of Shiva attracts everyone because of its style, design, creativity, and feelings that it gives to the visitors. 2. Family of Tigers Retrieved from http://www.denverartmuseum.org/collections/objectDetails/objectId--104878 ‘Family of Tigers’ was created by a Korean artist in 1600s. The painting was created using ink and color on paper and the dimensions of the painting are 23 x 14 5/7 inches (58.5 x 37.1 cm). In the 1600s, people used to admire Korean tigers for their independent spirit and strength (“Asian Art”). The painting reveals the mindset of Korean people of the past time when they believed tigers as guardians of their households. At that time, people used to create paintings of tigers on the papers in order to hang them on the walls of their houses. The painting also shows that mindset of the Korean people. In the painting, some tigers in a very belligerent mood are looking at something, which may be some unpredicted thing for them. The concept of tigers as household protectors really reveal through this painting. Korean people used to hang such pictures on the walls because they had a belief that such pictures would ward off the evil spirits for the year ahead. If we compare Shiva, King of Dancers and Family of Tigers, we find one thing common in both artworks. Both artworks represent the mindset of the people belonging to the place of origin of these artworks. The sculpture of Shiva represents the belief of Indian people in their god. On the other hand, Family of Tigers represents the perception of early Korean people. Shiva’s sculpture was made using bronze which had been the widely used material of the tenth century AD. On the other hand, Family of Tigers is a simple painting, which was created using ink and color on paper. Along with differences in materials, color combinations, dimension, and concepts, another difference can found in both artworks, which are the emotions of the subject. In Shiva, King of Dancers, Shiva is shown living in his own world dancing in and out of existence. On the other hand, the tigers shown in the Family of Tigers show an inquisitive nature. Shiva has been shown calm and peaceful whereas tigers are shown in a curious mood. These were the similarities and differences which we can find comparing both artworks. If we describe the historical context of Shiva, King of Dancers, we can say that this sculpture reveals the historical beliefs of the Indian people. This bronze made sculpture represents the god of the Indian people. Shiva has its historical roots in the Indian culture and religion. People seek forgiveness from Shiva as he is viewed as the destroyer of the universe. Dancing Shiva also represents Hinduism in the modern world. Smith states, “Dancing Siva is the form of the Hindu god Siva best known in the west, and indeed seems to be the most popular visual representation of Hinduism for the modern world” (1). Hindus believe that Shiva takes them away from fear in the world of independence and that concept can be observed in the Shiva’s sculpture. Shiva, King of Dancers was created in the Bronze Age. At that time, artist from all over the world used to create Bronze made sculptures. Shiva, King of Dancers is one of such sculptures present in the Denver art museum, which really attracts people who are interested in the ancient beliefs, cultures, and religions of the world. Works Cited Berkson, Carmel. Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1999. Print. “Asian Art.” Denverartmuseum.org, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. Matney, Lawrence. “Highlighting Denver Attractions for First-Time Tourists - Exploring the Art Museum.” Ezinearticles.com, 09 Feb. 2011 Web. 17 Nov. 2011. . Smith, David. The Dance of Siva: religion, Art and Poetry in South India. Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 1996. Print. Storl, Wolf-Dieter. Shiva: The Wild God of Power and Ecstasy. Vermont: Inner Traditions, 2004. Print. Read More