Eastern Aesthetics
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“We are formed and molded by our thoughts.” —Buddha
Balance. Simplicity. Meditation. Clarity. Emptiness. Detachment. Peace. The One.
These are some of the most common themes found throughout traditional Eastern thought. Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and other systems of belief, despite their differences, share many such concepts. And while Eastern ideals have gained much popularity here in the West during the last century, their ancient roots have long influenced all aspects of Asian culture, including art.
Imagine the perfect symmetry of a Chinese porcelain vase, the simple elegance of a Haiku, or the idyllic ambiance in a Japanese Bonsai garden. The sense of tranquility and inner harmony is central to the mindset and manifested in the work.
Since there isn’t any Second Commandment to worry about in Buddhism or Hinduism, religious artists have carried on a proud tradition of sanctioned idolatry that has produced a plethora of Buddha sculptures, Vishnu icons, etc. In these, too, we find remarkable balance and symmetry, which facilitate contemplative forms of worship, such as meditation and mantra.
On the other hand, there is some tension between art and Eastern thought. The sensory realm can be quite distracting, so for those who are attempting to renounce the physical world or deny earthly pleasures, art is nothing but a nuisance. —CKG
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
• What kinds of art make you feel reflective and serene? Why?
• How have your own culture’s ways of thinking been reflected in the history of Western art?