Monday, October 27, 2014

A Closer Look



As you may have read on yesterday's post, I visited Railroad Park on Saturday to photograph the monks who were in town for the Dalai Lama's visit to Birmingham.  Since Wednesday they had been about the work of creating a mandala, from crushed marble in an enclosed tent there at the pavilion. The process appears to be tedious and painstaking but one monk explained that the pattern is part of their prayers so it's far more than creating a piece of temporary art.  Yes, it is temporary. Today at 5:00 , there will be a ceremony where the sand will be swept up, shared with those in attendance and the rest released into a body of water.

5 comments:

s.c said...

Always great to see artists at work. By thinking about it what in earlier times was called just craftsmanship is now pure art.

William Kendall said...

That is such beautiful work.

Bob Crowe said...

I've been watching this today and yesterday. I can't understand the precision and design. And, of course, after creating this wonder they sweep it away. You were privileged to photograph this.

biebkriebels said...

What a great opportunity to watch the making of the Mandala so close by.

Jack said...

You must have enjoyed observing this. I photographed monks creating a mandala at Trinity College in Hartford a couple of years ago. It was fascinating.