Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong
Tung Lin Kok Yuen
Online Lecture Series on Buddhist Art
The Arts of Tibet and the Himalayas
Speaker: Dr. Amy Heller, University of Bern
Online lectures via Zoom webinar (same link for the whole series)
Zoom link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/98933264547
Lecture topics:
Lecture 1 | 6:30-8:30 pm (HKT) on 12 April 2022 (Tue)
* Brief bibliography for lecture 1
The art and archaeology of the Tibetan (Tubo) Empire and its neighbors
Lecture 2 | 6:30-8:30 pm (HKT) on 19 April 2022 (Tue)
* Brief bibliography for lecture 2
Introduction of Buddhism and early development of Buddhist art in Central Tibet
Lecture 3 | 6:30-8:30 pm (HKT) on 3 May 2022 (Tue)
* Brief bibliography for lecture 3
* Supplementary information for lecture 3
Revival of Buddhism in Western Tibet and the Western Himalayas: the development of the Kashmiri Style
Lecture 4 | 6:30-8:30 pm (HKT) on 12 May 2022 (Thur)
The flourishing of Buddhist Art in Central Tibet
* Brief bibliography for lecture 4
Conducted in English | All are welcome | Free admission
Organized by HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies
Sponsored by Tung Lin Kok Yuen
* All materials presented in this lecture series are copyright protected. Please do NOT reproduce, distribute, publish, display, transmit, or in any way exploit any such content. The content presented is provided only for educational and informational purposes.
About the speaker
Dr. Amy Heller teaches Tibetan art and architecture in Institute for Science of Religion, University of Bern. Since 1986, she has been affiliated with the Paris CNRS Tibet team of the Center for Research on the Civilisations of Eastern Asia (CRCAO). 1974 BA cum Laude at Barnard College in Art history, 1980 Diplôme de Langue et Civilisation Tibétaine at INALCO, Paris and 1992 Diplôme de l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, IVe section, Philology and History, Paris. Visiting professor at La Sapienza (2006, 2008) and Centre for Tibetan Studies, Sichuan University ( 2007-2013). Her books comprise Tibetan Art (1999), Tibetan Buddhist Art 西藏佛教藝術 (2007), Early Himalayan Art (2008) and Hidden Treasures of the Himalayas, Tibetan manuscripts paintings and sculptures of Dolpo (2009); edited books: Discoveries in Western Tibet and Western Himalayas (2007), The Arts of Tibetan Painting (2012) and Visual Culture of Tibet and the Himalayas (2020).
Abstract
An introduction to the art of Tibet and the Himalayas, 600 - 1400 AD, focussing on historical and religious developments, especially in Buddhism, which fostered the foundation of monasteries and their embellishment with sculptures, textiles and paintings, both portable and integrated in the architecture. The art historical evidence, archaeological data and artefacts all reflect the constant interplay of cultural exchanges and inter-relationships between Tibet and her neighbours. To the north, due to commercial and cultural relations with the oases of Central Asia, the Tibetans esteemed Sogdian and Turkic customs and artefacts which were adapted in Tibetan customs and esthetics. The influential schools of Buddhism then practiced in northern India, Nepal and Kashmir, as well as China lead to the introduction and developments of Buddhism and Buddhist art in throughout Tibet.