BardoTibetan Art of the Afterlife

February 12, 2010–September 6, 2010
Rubin Museum
150 W. 17th St., NYC

Statue of golden seated figure on pedestal in room surrounded by colorful but paintings of figures and architectural elements. — Bardo Installation Photography by David De Armas

According to the Tibetan text Bardo Thodrol, known in the West as The Tibetan Book of the Dead, death provides an important opportunity for spiritual enlightenment. Upon the moment of physical death a 49-day period divided into three intermediate states begins. During this time one hundred symbolic deities appear to the deceased in a series of visions. In order to attain nirvana, these visions must be recognized as mere illusions. Otherwise the cycle of rebirth continues.

Buddhists work to embrace impermanence throughout life. By familiarizing themselves with all forms of illusion during life, they can more easily overcome the death visions.

Bardo: Tibetan Art of the Afterlife presents about 50 works of art that illustrate the bardo experiences that confront one upon death. These works from throughout the Himalayan region include paintings and sculptures depicting peaceful and wrathful deities; initiation cards; illuminated manuscripts; a three-dimensional mandala inhabited by afterlife deities; and two shrine room models. Audiovisual devices allow visitors to view Tibetan death-related ceremonies and rituals.

CuratorsCurators

Martin Brauen, PhD, is a cultural anthropologist, curator, and author. From 2008 to 2011 he was chief curator at the Rubin Museum. Since his retirement he has independently curated several exhibitions, including Bill Viola: Passions at the Cathedral of Bern and The Cosmos at the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, and published A Sameness Between Us: The Friendship of Charmion von Wiegand and Piet Mondrian in Letters and Memoirs.

Ramon N. Prats was the first person to translate The Tibetan Book of the Dead into Spanish. He holds a doctoral degree in Tibetan Studies from the Oriental Institute of the University of Naples (Italy), where he was associate professor of Tibetan language and literature from 1980 to 1995. He was subsequently appointed professor of Buddhist studies at the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona (Spain). From 2006 to 2009 he was Senior Curator at the Rubin Museum of Art, where he organized an exhibition on the Bardo Thodrol, among others. Ramon Prats has more than sixty publications to his credit.

BardoTibetan Art of the Afterlife

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