HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION

  

Dance Masks „Black and White“

Thailand

Loaned by Pichet Klunchun

These three masks were worn while performing the dance drama “Black and White” (2011) by the Thai dancer

and choreographer, Pichet Klunchun, who is also one of the co-curators of the exhibition. Inspired by the

battle scenes in the “Ramayana”, India’s national epic, it recounts the story of the eternal struggle between

good and evil. The masks and the costumes worn with them are contemporary interpretations of classical

Thai Khon costumes.

  

Dancing Yogini

Nepal, Newa people

A volume of the inventory informs us that this bronze figure depicts a Yogini, the incarnation of a female

deity, and was made by the Newa people in the city of Patan in Nepal. Yonginis are frequently depicted

dancing.

  

String Puppets

Burma

Teschner Collection

These two Burmese string puppets were formerly in the private collection assembled by the well-known

Austrian artist, Richard Teschner (1879-1948). His passion was puppet theatre. He created a new form of

puppet-theatre performances based on Asian string puppets. Indonesian Wayang kulits, which are supported

by handles and control rods, were a major source of inspiration. In addition to these two Burmese puppets the

exhibition also showcases some of Teschner’s own creations - exceptional examples of a cultural exchange

between Asia and Europe.

  

Figure performing the Cham Dance

Mongolia

Leder Collection

This figure represents a character performing the Mongolian Cham dance. This sacred dance originated in

Tibet and its perfromance by disguised monks in front of temples is part of a major festival. The dance is

followed by a procession and a sacrifice. This figure was one of 108 commissioned by Hans Leder and is

probably not an autonomous Mongolian artifact. The Cham dance was prohibited for many years. Today only

a handful of monks are still familiar with it, making this figure an extraordinary source of information on a

fast-vanishing dance tradition.

  

Fans

Korea

Haas Collection

A shaman had at his disposal a number of colourful fans featuring specific subjects such as “Three Buddhas” or

“Sun and Moon”. They decorated the shamanic altar or were used by the shaman, depending on which

ceremony was being performed, together with a small bell while performing a dance or a rite.

  

Kagura-Masks

Japan

Siebold Collection

This selection features five examples from a set of Sato Kagura masks; they come from the collection

assembled by Heinrich von Siebold (1852-1908) and may already have been used by a Japanese troupe

performing at the World Fair held in Vienna in 1873. Kagura dances featuring such masks are performed at

annual festivals held at Shinto shrines to ask for divine protection against evil and the granting of fertility and

prosperity.

  

Tagore String Instrument

India

Tagore Collection

A 19th century music-lover, Sourindro Mohun, created new types of hybrid instruments that comprise

elements from classical European and Indian instruments. Most of them, however, cannot be played and

serve merely aesthetic purposes and to illustrate the equality of Indian and European music. Called “taus” or

“mayuri”, this string instrument - a combination of the Indian setar and the Indian sarangi - was devised to

accompany a female singer.

  

Beskalan Dance Costume

Java

Loaned by Didik Nini Thowo

This costume was loaned for the exhibition by the Indonesian dancer, Didik Nini Thowok, a representative of

the ancient tradition of cross gender in dance and one of the show’s co-curators. It was worn for

performances of Beskalan Putri, a traditional sacred dance from the Malang region in eastern Java. Originally

reserved for women, this dance is now also performed by men. The exhibition showcases not only his

costume but also other objects from Didik Nini Thowok’s private dressing room, inviting visitors to take a look

behind the scenes.

  

Dance Costume

Burma

Loaned by John Marshall

Note the striking colours and materials of this Burmese dance costume recently acquired at auction. Its

previous owner had bought it from a troupe of actors in Myanmar in the 1970s. It was worn by an actor

personifying a figure from the epic “Ramayana”.

  

Shiva Nataraja

India

Musée Guimet Paris

Nataraja, the “Lord of Dance”, is a manifestation of the Hindu deity, Shiva, and thus popular throughout many

parts of Asia. Legend tells how Shiva Nataraja with his dance both began the process of creation and

destroyed it, thus ensuring the order of the cosmos. He is depicted as a many-armed deity within a ring of

flames, his right foot placed on the evil dwarf Apasmara. His raised right hand clutches an hourglass-drum

that beats the rhythm of the creation; his lower right hand forms a protective gesture, and on the palm of his

left hand burns a flame that represents destruction.

  

Legong Costume

Bali

Mylius Collection

Also known as the „dance of the heavenly nymphs“, Legong originated at the royal courts of Bali and is

characterized by highly-stylized movements. Legend has it that two dancing nymphs appeared to King I Dewa

Agung Made Karna (1775-1835) while he was meditating, and inspired him to this dance. Today many different

versions of the dance exist; the exhibition presents a new choreography by the Legong dancer, Bulan Trisna,

who is one of the show’s co-curators.