The Course, THE ART OF SOUTH EAST ASIA: from Ancient Civilisations to Contemporary Living Arts, Laos 2/5

When:
May 4, 2017 @ 10:45 am – 12:45 pm
2017-05-04T10:45:00+01:00
2017-05-04T12:45:00+01:00
Where:
The Course at The University Women's Club
2 Audley Square
Mayfair, London W1K
UK
Cost:
£54
Contact:
Mary Bromley
020 7266 7815

Founded in 1994, THE COURSE offers art history lectures, opera and literature courses, guided museum visits and London walks.

This course will introduce the art and architecture of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Java, Bali, Burma and Thailand. It will explore its sacred art, examine carvings, symbolism and iconography that express fundamental religious beliefs. Contemporary art will be shown in the form of painting, especially in Vietnam, influenced first by China then France during the colonial regime. A glimpse of colonial architecture in Indochina will enrich your understanding of the fusion of East and West and glorious weaving traditions will also feature throughout the region. A look at sacred dance will reveal exquisite rituals and dance dramas that have evolved and survived to reveal the soul of the people and the role of dance today.

LAOS: From Historic Buddhist Temples to Modern Silkweaving

The sacred Buddhist architecture of Laos will be examined particularly in Luang Prabang. In this remote, misty, mountainous spot there are 35 temples dating from the C16th, gilded and frescoed. We will look at silver smithing and silk weaving once part of the royal court and recently revived.