BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Creativity Art that's made to be destroyed

What do you think of transient art? How attached are you to the art you produce?

I've been fascinated by transient art ever since I stopped too briefly to watch visiting Tibetan monks from Dharamsala create a sand mandala painting. It was a project which would take them several days, filled with rituals and ceremonies, and created with so much symbolism and mindfulness.

Then, on the final day, they hold a dismantling ceremony. In a specific order, the sand forming each symbol is gathered up until it has all been collected. Then the blessing ceremony is held and the sand is poured into a river, transferring the hopes and blessings of the mandala to those who interact with the river.�

Have you ever thought destroying something could be such a beautiful experience? In taking their art to various countries, the lamas teach us all about learning to let go of our creativity, to trust in it and allow it to go where it needs to, and not to take ourselves so seriously. There's always another painting.

Wow, I really like that. It's beautiful. That shows me how much control I try to have over things because destroying something I made would be very hard for me and I never would naturally be inclined to do it. Maybe I should practice doing that ocassionally to learn to give up control.

I was just watching the movie Kundun last night, which is about the 14th Dalai Lama and intermittently throughout scenes were shots of Tibetan sand paintings and they were beautiful and fascinating. Do you know of any art books with pictures of these or where I can learn more about them?

It is a different perspective, isn't it.

I love Kundun, it's a beautiful movie. Have you seen Seven Years in Tibet? Also very good, it stars Brad Pitt and David Thewlis in very strong roles. I can't remember if there are any mandalas being created in it, though.

Here are some really good websites with lots of photographs of the processes of creating and dismantling sand mandalas (I've also put these under the Art subject on the main Creativity page):

Mandala sand painting by the Tibetan Lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery

Sand mandala construction photographs

Sand mandala dismantling ceremony

I'll have a look for some books for you shortly and let you know more.

Thanks for the links and info. Elle!
I haven't seen Seven Years in Tibet--I just checked out the book though and when I finish it I'm going to watch the film.

I've had quite a few emails as well now asking for more information about sand mandalas, so I'll put together a full article on the process for next week...

In the meantime, here's a book that looks very interesting:

The Sand Mandala of Vajrabhairava by Daniel Cozort

Elle, thanks so much for starting this thread! I wish there was a virtual hug icon, but this is close enough. <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

I am fascinated with Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism so can't wait to read these resources. I adored the movies Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet as well. Interestingly, the mountain climber from the latter movie's story is still alive.

Another thing that comes to mind is fireworks. I know we take them wuite for granted these days - but they've been around for quite a long time; and their beauty is not seen until they are basically "destroyed"! And then it is only fleeting.

Fireworks... great point, Michelle!

It got me thinking about other forms of art that are made to be destroyed.... and I thought of gourmet food. It's prepared with an art mindset, plated artfully, and then hacked, chewed and digested. I know I've been in the position before where something is "too beautiful to eat"... although I usually manage just fine once the first cut is made. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh - sushi! Definitely sushi and sashimi!

The chefs that train to put those plates together are so meticulous, and the plates are absolutely gorgeous.

I believe the saying goes, "you eat with your eyes first, nose second, and mouth last."