Art Culture_of_Laos

1 art

1.1 weaving
1.2 sculpture
1.3 woodworking
1.4 handicrafts

art

laos has experienced several major wars , occupations since eighteenth century. laos holds distinction heavily bombed country in world, result of wars against communist revolutions in laos, vietnam , cambodia during 1960s , 1970s. years of economic isolation have taken toll. international trade in antiquities has taken toll on laos’ artistic heritage due persistent poverty. consequence of traditional art , architecture in laos has been pillaged, sold, destroyed or suffered significant damage on past 3 centuries.

the first attempts @ preservation outside local wat occurred both french academics working in 1900s École française d extrême-orient (efeo), , prince phetsarath in 1950s part of nationalist movement. international non-governmental organizations geared toward cultural preservation have been allowed operate since 1990s, connected particular ministry or government organization activities can monitored. of laos’ cultural heritage stored or protected in monasteries throughout country. museums few, haw phra kaew in vientiane, , royal palace museum in luang prabang housing of remaining lao art , cultural items of significance.

lao princess wearing gold embroidery


weaving

weaving dominate form of artistic cultural expression in laos, common across ethnicities , recognized cultural export abroad. lao mothers pass weaving skills on daughters sign of eligibility marriage. patterns, techniques , colors vary according region or ethnic group.

women traditionally raise silk worms on constant diet of mulberry leaves, silk woven on hand looms in north or (less commonly) on foot looms in south. each region , ethnic group has own traditional weaving techniques. in south weaving characterized intricate patterns of elephants, temples, khmer influenced designs , features intricate beadwork. northeast known using raw silk , cotton, , tye-dying raw silk known matmii or ikat. central laos runs along mekong river , known natural indigo dyes , diamond patterns symbolize protective scales of mythical naga. in former royal city of luang prabang embroidery using delicate gold , silver threads preserved. art passed mother daughter , both patterns , pieces embellished each passing generation.

sculpture


bronze buddha sculptures, wat mai, luang prabang

buddhist motifs dominate lao decorative art forms. sculpture among prominent form of traditional lao art. sculptures of buddha traditionally cast in bronze, silver, gold or thong gold , silver alloy. wooden buddha images made individuals seeking merit common @ local village level. sculptures follow conventional forms , mudras found throughout theravada southeast asia, 2 forms being unusually lao in origin. common form standing buddha in “calling rain” mudra, hands @ side in downward position, , symmetrical flowing robe on both sides. less common lao mudra again standing, hands crossed in front @ wrists in “contemplation” mudra. these images have origins in sixteenth century, , further characterized longer facial features, , thinner more aquiline noses.

lao sculpted wood buddhas posed calling rain

the culturally , religiously significant sculpture in laos today phra bang gold statue city of luang pra bang takes name. according legend phra bang cast in ceylon, transferred khmer empire , came north lan xang @ request of fa ngum’s khmer queen. other historically significant buddha images include colossal bronze buddha images found in wat ong teu , wat manorom. smaller images found @ haw phra kaew, , wat sisaket in vientiane or in many temples wat visoun in luang prabang. these buddha images produced in laos , show many of hallmarks of traditional craftsmanship.

a number of significant buddha images lao history have been lost or taken during conflicts of nineteenth , twentieth century. significant “emerald buddha,” or phra kaew, resides @ grand palace in bangkok palladium of thailand. phra phutta butsavarat, or “crystal buddha,” palladium of kingdom of champasak , taken bangkok in nineteenth century. several other important images originated in kingdom of lan na taken laos king setthathirath (who briefly king of lan na) in sixteenth century. these images crafted each of daughters solid gold, , include phra sae kham (housed @ wat pho chai in nong khai, thailand), phra seum (housed @ wat patum wanaram, in bangkok, thailand), , phra souk. these images taken thai armies in nineteenth century isan , bound bangkok. ironically phra souk or “lucky buddha,” sank in mekong during storm occurred when 3 images being moved thais, legend depicted in murals @ wat pho chai. in amnat charoen province, thailand phra lao thep nimit fine example of lao sculpture resides in thailand. other sets of royal buddha images lost entirely during era of french colonialism. many sold or taken souvenirs, number of royal images lost in 1910 when french gunboat la grandiere sank on mekong en route paris exhibition.

woodworking

lao monk woodworking temple details

laos has history of sophisticated craftsmanship in wood. traditionally used in temples, many homes , government buildings have richly carved elements today. richly carved furniture, elephant howdahs, river barges, , funerary carts can found among private collections of elite or royal collections @ palace museum in luang prabang.

the first detailed european accounts of exploration laos in sixteenth century described in detail delicate bas reliefs found on temples , palaces. among outstanding examples of craft found along temple frieze of wat mai, , royal funerary chapel @ wat xieng thong in luang prabang.

folk carvings quite popular votive buddha images being common form, , animist totems being found throughout areas of lao theung , lao sung.

handicrafts

lao metalwork in gold , silver experiencing resurgence high point in seventeenth century lan xang. silver work prized , popular among ethnic minorities including hmong , yao, , can found popular elements of traditional dress among married women.

laos produces number of handicrafts use bamboo , other forms of basketry. traditionally lao use intricately woven bamboo mats in homes , temples, although of art form has been lost due availability , durability of plastic substitutes. basketry quite common , traditionally seen in various forms of domestic kitchen equipment, or in house bamboo thatching still commonly used.

mulberry leaves not used silk worm production used production of saa paper. saa paper traditional art form has been incorporated number of crafts tourist industry around luang prabang.