Resonance

Date
2003-05
Authors
Lee, Geoffrey K.
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Mills, Richard L
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Dance
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Abstract
ers of and perhaps confirmation of the reality of status and servitude. The focus of Resonance was a visual art exhibition centered on the interpretation and modification of the Korean Buddhist bronze temple bell. As an artist of part Korean descent, heavily influenced by popular American culture and traditional Italian glassblowing techniques, it was my goal to create glass forms based on historical objects. The glass forms reflect my personal, technical and material interests. They are also an interpretation of the bell within contemporary and historical culture. The exhibition examined the wayan object both physically and spiritually contained resonance and how that resonance affected all that heard it. The Korean temple bell from the Unified Silla period (676 AD-918 AD) is an example of superb craftsmanship and devotion to king and religion. It also represents the expenses incurred in production, which put innumerable hardships on the lower class. The peasants were obliged to pay heavy taxes, donate their personal bronze objects, and provide labor resulting in an "increasing impoverishment [in] the lives of the common people. Increasing numbers of them could not repay their debts and were reduced to slavery." (Eckert, 49) If a King wanted to produce a great work of art to honor the Buddha, it was the peasantry who sacrificed and provided for its creation. During one such project, the immense Emille bell was cast in the year 771 AD. The largest bell in Korea, when struck could be heard for forty miles on a clear night. One has to wonder what emotions were felt when the immense bronze bell was seen or heard. Twelve hundred years ago, the king might have felt great pride, a Buddhist monk perhaps intense piety, but how did the lower class feel? A peasant working, relaxing, or sleeping forty miles away was supposed to envision the voice of Buddha. But more than likely, they were reminded of their need to pay taxes and tribute. The Korean temple bell was used as a tool to communicate from one group to another without personal interaction. The enlightened used it to communicate with the commoners, the wealthy to the indentured, and it reinforced the repressive nature of a monarchy that closely aligned itself with religion. It was used as a reminder to enforce the hierarchical status quo.
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v, 29 leaves
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Theses for the degree of Master of Fine Arts (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Dance; no. 440
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