As the Buddha?s teachings spread from India throughout the rest of Asia and beyond, the underlying philosophical tenets as well as its corresponding artistic representation also travelled to these regions. The Indian Buddhist artistic tradition eventually fused with indigenous cultural values and visual culture in these regions both in terms of content as well as aesthetics. Over the last two millenia, these artistic traditions have developed in unique ways, creating distinctly regional styles of Buddhist art that nonetheless share a common vocabulary of motifs, skills, aesthetic and spiritual significance.
In much of South and Southeast Asia, the development and spread of Buddhist Asian art was disrupted during the colonial era. Although foreign rule gave way to independent nation states after World War II, internal political struggles, ideological debates and rapid economic change left little space for arts and culture to flourish. Simultaneously, the incursions of Western imagery and concepts of modernity into these countries pose a continuous challenge to the survival of traditional Buddhist and Asian art forms and techniques.
Inspired by the historic cultural exchanges that shaped the artistic expression and everyday life in Asia, this workshop attempts to recreate a space for such dialogues and learning. We hope to repeat such workshops each year so as to ensure the learnings and relationships formed are sustained.
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) is a network of Buddhist, spiritual leaders, academics and organizations working on issues of common concern. The Secretariat in Bangkok serves members in more than 15 Asian countries, North America, Europe, and Africa. INEB members come together biennially for spiritual fellowship and exchange. For most of INEB?s 20-year history, members have united around socio-political issues affecting member countries. However, in recent years, new programs have begun to emerge. Members have come together to discuss topics ranging from the Buddhist response to climate change, inter-religious dialogue, and the potential of alternative economic indicators like Gross National Happiness (GNH).
After the 2007 INEB conference in Taiwan, a group of Sri Lankan and Thai artists began discussing the need for a program on Buddhist arts and culture. During the initial exchange visits between the two countries, participants were struck by the artistic similarities between heritage sites like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka and Sukhothai and Ayutthaya in Thailand. Following this joint art workshops and exhibitions were organised in both Sri Lanka and Thailand with the support of leading art professors. Through this cross-cultural Buddhist exchange, the artists had an opportunity to deepen their understanding of traditional art forms and explore ways of expanding their art to incorporate modern techniques and themes that are relevant to contemporary Buddhist society.
At the 2009 INEB conference in Thailand, it was decided to expand the Sri Lanka-Thailand art collaboration to include other Buddhist countries and accordingly, the idea of the ?Buddhist Art Gathering 2011? at Bodhgaya, India, was born. An organizing committee consisting of representatives from Buddhist organisations and art institutions around the world has been formed to conceptualise and coordinate the event.
In addition to these artists (maximum of 50), select scholars of Asian Art as well as visual artists from the West who are interested in participating in the workshop may also be included. All participants will live and work together in Bodhgaya for one week, allowing for close interaction.
The ?Buddhist Art Gathering 2011? will conclude with the inauguration of an exhibition of all the artworks produced during the course of the workshop (whether individually or collaboratively) to coincide with the INEB 2011 conference. Local and international media will be invited to the exhibition to generate further interest in and awareness of Buddhist art and teachings.
In addition to a catalogue and print collateral accompanying the travelling exhibition, the participating artists? experience and dialogues at the workshop in India, as well as the public?s reaction to the exhibitions in Bodhgaya, Bangkok, and other major cities will also be documented and made available in DVD form.
Due to ?The International Buddhist Art Gathering ? being a travelling exhibition, artworks must be portable, unbreakable and light-weight. These could include two-dimensional visual arts such as painting, print making, mixed media as well as materials such as paper, canvas, fabric, and video installations. The dimensions of the artwork or composition should not exceed by the size of 1 X 2 meters on the wall plan and 2×2 meters on the floor plan.
? The host intends to cover the costs of artists travel to Bodhgaya for the purpose of the workshop.
? The host will offer accommodation with 3 meals per day for artists during workshop and exhibition period: 17- 25 October, 2011.
? The host will offer the working space to the size of 2×2 meters for each participant.
? The host will offer 100 USD to each artist as reimbursements towards purchase of art materials.
? The host will organize a fieldtrip during the workshop.
? The host will provide staff and transportation to and from the airport and the workshop site as scheduled.
? The host will provide assistants during the workshop and installation, and maintenance during the exhibitions.
? The host will be responsible for the expenses of invitation cards, posters, billboards and catalogue publishing for the exhibition.
? The host will be responsible for artworks/catalogue shipping and handling for each of the international exhibitions.
? In case of sickness during the workshop period, the host will be responsible for the initial costs.