If you're uninterested in Asian Buddhist art, just skip this post;
this post is more for me as I'm just jotting down notes from some of my
favorite artworks I saw during my recent visit to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Yes, it's a nerdy post indeed!
Since on my trip and being back home, I've been to quite a
few museums and exhibits and it's really been a joy. I am one of those
odd people who like to go there alone and spend a few hours just
submerged in the artwork and historical artifacts. I also take my camera
with me and snap my favorite ones (given that I am permitted to take
pictures) or take notes and then look them up after.
I've always loved museums as a child but haven't really had the time to go to a lot of them during my teenage and 20s. As I enter into my 30s, I'm amazed about how nerdy I'm getting. I'm reading a lot more books, studying a lot more (although that's by default since I'm a grad student), and I'm attending more nerdy seminars like conferences on environmental issues. It's definitely a change from my Tokyo days in which my free time mostly consisted of clubbing, drinking, shopping, did I mention drinking?
Vajra Tara sculpture from India 1075-1200.
Such elaborate sculptures and
carvings on all surfaces,
you can stare at it for hours and not get
bored
Simhavaktra deity from China around 18th century.
The pose and expression was intriguing and had an lasting impression
White Tara from Nepal from the 15th century.
The Dalai Lama calls her "the wisdom, compassion, and enlightened
activity of all Buddhas in the form of a goddess".
I like this since she has such a soft and graceful complexion on her face;
very peaceful indeed
Dancing Ganesha from 18th Century Tibet;
As an avid Ganesha collector, I couldn't help but snap the picture
of a dancing one! The ones that I've usually seen are those
that are in sitting form so this one was definitely an eye-opener
Buddha Shakamuni as an ascetic from 20th century China.
I really like this because it's made from jade
so not only is this a highly-skilled master piece
but it's a wonder how the sculptor made the
expression of Shakamuni so full of warmth and peaceful.
Buddhist deity, Ragaraja or Aizen Myoo from 17th century Japan.
I'm also a fan of Ragaraja who is a deity of love.
It's such a contrast from Western depiction of love
which are usually of women, angel, or cupids.
There's such a fierceness to it yet at the same time,
they don't look too scary.
I suppose it's this paradox that attracts me to them.
I've taken European History both in high school and college but Asian
history has always been more fascinating; I suppose there's a bias that
the history directly relates to my ancestors but to me it always seems
more rich in many ways. Buddhist art has been a big part of Asian
history and art and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco has one of the
best collections. I also like the fact that the museum is much more
affordable. One of the things that shocked me was that museums in San
Francisco are all getting renovated and so are their prices! Gone are
the days where I used to go in for free on school field trips; I can't
believe some museums in the city cost around $25-39 albeit it must
certainly be worth it for that price! But be rest assured, the AAM is
under half the price and just as fascinating.
Asian Art Museum
Address: 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (across from City Hall)
Hours: 10am-5pm, Closed Mon
Tickets: $15 (general), $10 (students, senior citizens)
**It's free on the first Suns of every month!
