Tuesday 25 May 2010

Bhutan, Heilige Kunst aus dem Himalaya







The kingdom of Bhutan, wedged between the major powers of India and China, is the only country in the world where Tantric Buddhism is the official religion. The government does not merely measure its achievement in terms of economic growth, but has made “Gross National Happiness” for its roughly 700,000 inhabitants and the protection of the environment its most important guiding principle.
This exhibition was realised after five years of preparatory work by a team of American experts under the aegis of the Honolulu Academy of Arts in cooperation with the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the leaders of the monastic body. The exhibition will present sacred objects from monasteries and temples which are still in active use in Buddhist rituals. For this reason they are only accessible to the general public on special ceremonial occasions. The 117 objects from the 8th to the 20th century comprise Thangkas (religious scroll paintings) executed in bright mineral colours, gilded sculptures and ritual objects. It will be the most representative and comprehensive exhibition of sacred art from Bhutan ever shown.
In Europe, these sacred objects from the Himalayan kingdom will – after their first stop in Paris – be shown only at the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne and the Museum Rietberg in Zurich. Two monks from Bhutan will accompany the exhibition and offer visitors the rare opportunity to experience the ritual practices of Tantric Buddhism at first hand in Buddhist cleansing ceremonies, which will be conducted twice daily. In addition, the monks will create a sand mandala in the exhibition rooms over a period of several weeks. The ritual Cham dances – another aspect of religious life in Bhutan – will be presented in impressive video displays.
Taken from
http://www.museenkoeln.de/museum-fuer-ostasiatische-kunst/default.asp?s=240

Saturday 22 May 2010

Alltags...one poster about a bank


On my way to the weekend market to fetch fresh fish coming from
Holland,I saw this poster. It carries the message..."every person
has something which moves him...we make the way free for you."
Instantly, I thought of one thing. Where are the women?
Just tellers and typists in this country where Gleichberectingung
or equal opportunity is written with capital G.
Calling German CEOs, come to my country and see how women are
handling high positions in banking business.

Friday 14 May 2010

Film for the day, Robin Hood



Robin Hood
engl. Originalversion
12 J.
täglich um 16:45 Uhr + 21:15 Uhr
USA 2010 - Action/Drama - 140 Min. - D.: Ridley Scott - C.: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong

In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people. Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richards army against the French. Upon Richards death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marian, a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marian and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
Taken from Metropolis-Koeln

Sunday 9 May 2010

State Election in NRW




Two important happenings in a day. One, the traditional
Mother's Day falling on the second Sunday of May and the
other one is the State election in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Above are some of the posters which are still hanging on
some lamp posts in our village and the local papers for the day.
The winners will be left hanging there for a while with renewed
posters saying thanks to the voters while the losers would surely
be removed even on the night after election.
Now, we will just to have to wait which promises would be
kept...no more tuition fees for example and which colors of parties
would form a coalition.
In the meantime, we would still see lots of talk shows and
interviews with political personalities and hear the reasons
for their victory or defeat.

Network of Imaginary Mothers, A Special Prayer on Mother''s Day


Cheers to all Mothers!

Network of the Imaginary Mother

Blessed be my brain
that I may conceive of my own power.
Blessed be my breast
that I may give sustenance to those I love.
Blessed be my womb
that I may create what I choose to create.
Blessed be my knees
that I may bend so as not to break.
Blessed be my feet
that I may walk in the path of my highest will.

Robin Morgan

Saturday 1 May 2010

Same procedure as in every first of May...der Maibaum


(Photo is taken from Koelner Stadt Anzeiger. Photographer:
Kathy Stolzenbach)
Spring weather since start of the week. Am feeling thankful
for wishes granted and did a short walk in the village
into the open fields colored now yellow, green and brown.
Sunny first day in May. While demonstrations are being
planned in most cities by labour unions with Berlin's
First of May demonstration getting the most media coverage,
I'm on the lookout for these Maibaueme in our neighborhood.
Yesterday, I saw a young man riding on a bike carrying
a Maibaum which was still wrapped in a white net...a modern
Romeo carrying the proof of his love. When will he put it
up, I was wondering and where? Got the trees but did not
see any lovers outside. Maybe they are all still sleeping
from the late dancing on the eve of May 1st.




Ending my brisk walking at the neigborhood flower shop, I saw
a young man carrying a pot of a tall hibiscus plant to the cashier.
He is more practical, I thought. I waited for my turn to pay for my
two bottles of white wine for my Romeo...well, also for me to drink
with our first asparagus for this season, our first asparagus in the
month of May.