highlights of the exhibition

 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION
Dance Masks „Black and White“
Thailand
Loaned by Pichet Klunchun
These three masks were worn while performing the dance drama “Black and White” (2011) by the Thai dancer
and choreographer, Pichet Klunchun, who is also one of the co-curators of the exhibition. Inspired by the
battle scenes in the “Ramayana”, India’s national epic, it recounts the story of the eternal struggle between
good and evil. The masks and the costumes worn with them are contemporary interpretations of classical
Thai Khon costumes.
Dancing Yogini
Nepal, Newa people
A volume of the inventory informs us that this bronze figure depicts a Yogini, the incarnation of a female
deity, and was made by the Newa people in the city of Patan in Nepal. Yonginis are frequently depicted
dancing.
String Puppets
Burma
Teschner Collection
These two Burmese string puppets were formerly in the private collection assembled by the well-known
Austrian artist, Richard Teschner (1879-1948). His passion was puppet theatre. He created a new form of
puppet-theatre performances based on Asian string puppets. Indonesian Wayang kulits, which are supported
by handles and control rods, were a major source of inspiration. In addition to these two Burmese puppets the
exhibition also showcases some of Teschner’s own creations - exceptional examples of a cultural exchange
between Asia and Europe.
Figure performing the Cham Dance
Mongolia
Leder Collection
This figure represents a character performing the Mongolian Cham dance. This sacred dance originated in
Tibet and its perfromance by disguised monks in front of temples is part of a major festival. The dance is
followed by a procession and a sacrifice. This figure was one of 108 commissioned by Hans Leder and is
probably not an autonomous Mongolian artifact. The Cham dance was prohibited for many years. Today only
a handful of monks are still familiar with it, making this figure an extraordinary source of information on a
fast-vanishing dance tradition.
Fans
Korea
Haas Collection
A shaman had at his disposal a number of colourful fans featuring specific subjects such as “Three Buddhas” or
“Sun and Moon”. They decorated the shamanic altar or were used by the shaman, depending on which
ceremony was being performed, together with a small bell while performing a dance or a rite.
Kagura-Masks
Japan
Siebold Collection
This selection features five examples from a set of Sato Kagura masks; they come from the collection
assembled by Heinrich von Siebold (1852-1908) and may already have been used by a Japanese troupe
performing at the World Fair held in Vienna in 1873. Kagura dances featuring such masks are performed at
annual festivals held at Shinto shrines to ask for divine protection against evil and the granting of fertility and
prosperity.
Tagore String Instrument
India
Tagore Collection
A 19th century music-lover, Sourindro Mohun, created new types of hybrid instruments that comprise
elements from classical European and Indian instruments. Most of them, however, cannot be played and
serve merely aesthetic purposes and to illustrate the equality of Indian and European music. Called “taus” or
“mayuri”, this string instrument - a combination of the Indian setar and the Indian sarangi - was devised to
accompany a female singer.
Beskalan Dance Costume
Java
Loaned by Didik Nini Thowo
This costume was loaned for the exhibition by the Indonesian dancer, Didik Nini Thowok, a representative of
the ancient tradition of cross gender in dance and one of the show’s co-curators. It was worn for
performances of Beskalan Putri, a traditional sacred dance from the Malang region in eastern Java. Originally
reserved for women, this dance is now also performed by men. The exhibition showcases not only his
costume but also other objects from Didik Nini Thowok’s private dressing room, inviting visitors to take a look
behind the scenes.
Dance Costume
Burma
Loaned by John Marshall
Note the striking colours and materials of this Burmese dance costume recently acquired at auction. Its
previous owner had bought it from a troupe of actors in Myanmar in the 1970s. It was worn by an actor
personifying a figure from the epic “Ramayana”.
Shiva Nataraja
India
Musée Guimet Paris
Nataraja, the “Lord of Dance”, is a manifestation of the Hindu deity, Shiva, and thus popular throughout many
parts of Asia. Legend tells how Shiva Nataraja with his dance both began the process of creation and
destroyed it, thus ensuring the order of the cosmos. He is depicted as a many-armed deity within a ring of
flames, his right foot placed on the evil dwarf Apasmara. His raised right hand clutches an hourglass-drum
that beats the rhythm of the creation; his lower right hand forms a protective gesture, and on the palm of his
left hand burns a flame that represents destruction.
Legong Costume
Bali
Mylius Collection
Also known as the „dance of the heavenly nymphs“, Legong originated at the royal courts of Bali and is
characterized by highly-stylized movements. Legend has it that two dancing nymphs appeared to King I Dewa
Agung Made Karna (1775-1835) while he was meditating, and inspired him to this dance. Today many different
versions of the dance exist; the exhibition presents a new choreography by the Legong dancer, Bulan Trisna,
who is one of the show’s co-curators.