Exhibitions of the festival “TIBET”
14-31 October

 

Exhibition of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Institute (“Men-tsi-khang”)

With the assistance of Tibetan doctor and astrologist

The exhibition of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology (“Men-tsi-khang”) which at present day is the main centre of studying and preserving of the world-known Tibetan medicine, was of great interest to the public. The visitors of the exhibition could get an opinion of Tibetan doctor and astrologist, who were specially invited to participate in the festival from the Indian Dharmsala, where the residence of Dalai Lama is situated.

“Men-tsi-khang” was founded in the beginning of 1961 on the initiative of His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV in Dharmsala – the town on the north of India, where the spiritual and political centre of Tibetan people in exile is situated. Today “Men-tsi-khang” is a big medico-pharmaceutical and scientific-research centre, supplying more than 40 clinics in India and Nepal; from this place Tibetan doctors go around the world to give medical and what is more important spiritual care to people, without depending on their social status, race or religion. In the heart of Tibetan medicine system lies the compassion to all the living beings and a sincere desire to give them a true happiness.

Here in “Men-tsi-khang” they keep and develop the traditions of ancient Tibetan pharmacology, based on curing with the help of unique natural substances. Tibetan doctors try to avoid rough interference in removing the diseases, though Tibetan surgeries are really high-skilled, they held the eyes operations as far back as 8-9 centuries. “Men-tsi-khang” collection has unique displays, which were saved by the doctors from destroyed monasteries of Tibet. In this collection are 37 ancient medical treatises (including classical text “Chjud-shi”), more than 80 examples of Buddhist iconography, illustrations to texts on medicine and astrology, 15 ancient medical instruments and around 200 samples of medical remedies.

 

Masks of the Dancing Lamas of Tibet

impressive Cham masks made in Kopan monastery (Kathmandu, Nepal)
and by Sergei Pancheshny (Мurmansk, Russia)

A great place in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism takes ancient mystery Cham. Speaking on the language of dance it tells about Buddhist deities and masters. Dancer’s masks and costumes represent the same deities as depicted on the Buddhist icons, thangkas, that’s why one can say, that Cham is the “revived icon”.

Nowadays the majority of masks are made from the mixture of fabric, glue and papier-mache. The ancient masks were made from wood or copper, besides they were frequently inlaid with jewels and metal decorations – and some of the masks weighed around 20 kilograms. On this exhibition the spectators were given a wonderful opportunity to see the masks from a big collection of the Nepalese monastery Kopan, founded by the famous Buddhist master Zopa Rinpoche in 1971. Not less interesting is another part of exposition – the ancient art of making masks for Cham unexpectedly has its followers on the north of Russia. One could receive the evidence while watching the works of Murmansk’ master Sergey Pancheshnyi.

 

Tibetan dolls (first time in Russia!)

An extensive collection of Tibetan dolls featuring Tibetan monks and lamas, Cham ritual dancers, Lhamo opera singers, Tibetan nomads.

One can’t name the doll making a traditional Tibetan art, but nowadays, when the majority of Tibetans have to live in exile; this craft helps to preserve a rich culture of Tibetan national costume. Sometimes special expeditions are sent to ask the old men, find old drawings and photographs to be able make a doll afterwards…For current refugees it is hardly impossible to get to their homeland and what can they find there now?

These small dolls made from clay, paper and fabric tell us the story of the peoples inhabiting the territory of Tibet (each one with its peculiarities, and sometimes with its unique culture and language), of the historical and mythological characters, of the representatives of different layers of Tibetan society – officials, monks, nomads and peasants. The artists have imprinted very rare costumes and masks of actors Lhamo (traditional Tibetan opera) and dancing lamas of ancient Buddhist mystery Cham… These dolls are the embodiments of the ethnographical researches, depicted history and culture of the mysterious civilization, which has become the victim of war, history and politics…

 

Collection of Tibetan paintings an sculptures from the assembly of State Museum of Oriental arts.

…Tibetan artists, strictly following the canon, for centuries preserved the best achievements of Indian and Central Asian arts.

Their creations posses serene simplicity and naive grace which are so typical for the pieces of art of the Ancient Russia icon painters and the artists of Early Renaissance…

Tibetan artist as well as his European colleague created beautiful and perfect in their nature images, keeping in mind mainly not the objects of surrounding reality, but relying upon his own “inner vision”, spiritual insight.

Though Tibetan icons are the mirror, where a living soul of the nation is reflected, as well as its centuries-old experience and aesthetic values…

From the foreword of academic V.A. Nabatchikov written to the book “Sacred images of Tibet”

 

Exposition “The life of Tibetan nomads” (first time in Russia)

Presented by nomad refugees from Tibetan province Amdo – talented folk songs singers

Jamyang and Yangchen were among the founders of the musical group “Ako Pema”, which from the moment of its foundation had the aim of preserving the song tradition of Amdo province.

In 2000 they had a special honor to present their art to Dalai Lama, after that they had the audience. For the artists – a personal meeting with His Holiness – is the source of greatest inspiration, a tremendous stimulus to do everything possible to preserve disappearing in leaps and bounds tradition of ancient Tibetan nomadic singing.

 

Photo exhibitions:

”Life in Gyudmed Monastery”
rare photographs, made in the famous tantric monastery Gyudmed by Igor Yancheglov

“Monks”
Amazing photographs of Aleksei Zamorkin, portraying Gyudmed monks during their yearly tours around Russia

«Tibet. The touch»
Tibetan series of Alena Telpuhovskaya. Colored photo-works show a striking beauty and mystic richness of different places of Tibet.

Festival «Tibet-2004», all events