Part 2: TOUR OF MUSEUM MUSEUM WORKSHEET

On my visit to the Dallas Museum of Arts, I got fascinated by following pieces of arts from the
different timeline of the history.

1. Piece from the Prehistoric to the 14th Century:

This piece of art is Uma-Maheshvara. Its artist is unknown. It was created in 8 th century. It
has a dimension of 56 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 9 in. It is sculpted on greyish green stone. It is located
in David T. Owsley Galleries Of South Asian Art - Hindu Art. The artist here had carved the
stone to depict the hindu god Shiva and his wife goddess Parvati. This carving shows a
passionate unification of man and woman. In Hinduism, the pure love between man and
woman is regarded as the blessings of god. The legend of Shiva and Parbati is also a very
beautiful love story, which inspires man and woman to be loving and passionate to their soul
partners.

2. Piece of artwork that reflects intercultural values and ideas:

Asian art Jina, I believe possess the strong message to the people of the Hinduism religion in
the India and its surrounding region. This piece of art communicates to audience with the
simple gesture. This simplistic depiction of a meditating man with no clothes on, reflects the
values of the Jain religion. This religion gives importance in leaving the humanly desires.
Since, the artwork shows no clothes on, it reflects the no desire belief of the Jainism. Only
thing that matters for human is the connection with the creator. The artist draws the attention
of audience by carving a holy mark on the bare chest, which further shades light on the idea
of the heart making connection with the universal power.

3. Piece from the 15th century to the present:

This piece of art is called luli. It has the dimensions of 21 x 8 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. It is carved in
wood. It was carved in 19th century in Indonesia. The culture of the Indonesia is pretty much
matrilineal. This region honors the femininity.The luli means sacred. This art also depicts the
common belief of the population of this region and honors the female figure. This carving tries to
depict the first female ancestor. The art has a beautiful decorated base which points up with the
flat surface for the lady. The lady is carved at the top, giving supreme position for the lady.
Centre of the artistic development is the lady figure and the rest of the piece is supporting the
figure giving her the top position. The shape of the art also looks like a hierarchy. The artist may
wanted to communicate the hierarchy of the human species with the lady being at the top.

Relationship of arts with history:

Art depicts the values of the people living in certain time and place. As we move on, our time,
circumstances and our perspectives change, which will definitely affect the art that we create.
Taking an example from my own museum tour, no two piece of artwork bear the same message
or aesthetic value. The artist who created Uma- Maheswara tried to communicate the religious
views and values present at that time. The shiva and parbati in Indian mythology had the most
influence.Since, the people of that age lived by philosophical principles attached with religious
disciplines, their feelings, emotions, thoughts and values were all dictated by those gods.
As, time passed, people have moved a little further away from religious customs towards the
spiritual awakening. Most of the people now are adapting this trend. People use to live with fixed
religious discipline in the past, but they are now moving towards the spiritual life. Sticking just
with the religious disciplines is past. People nowadays are seeking spirituality. This movement
has been so influential that it has spreades far upto the western countries. From the CEO of the
microsoft to the CEO of the google, every major corporations are bringing meditation to life.
This trend started couple years ago in the eastern world. Branching away from the hardcore
religious discipline, people started seeking insights of spirituality which is clearly seen in the
artwork of the time after 15th century to present. The art of Jina reflects this change. Unlike the
Uma- Maheswara, Jina advocates the spiritual life.