BRUSSELS: TASCHEN, the publishing house owned by Mr Benedikt Taschen hosted a splendid Conversation with Thomas Laird, the photographer, on its joint work on the Murals of Tibet on Thursday, March 15 on the occasion of the TEFAF in Maastricht.
The mammoth work was recently first displayed in Tsuglagkhang in Dharamsala on the first day of Mind & Life Conference on March 12 in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr Laird, Mr Taschen and other participants.
Murals of Tibet is a sumo-sized collector’s limited edition of 998 copies. Containing 528 pages detailing the murals, the book is compilation of unique and ancient murals from 12 monasteries and chapels in Central and Western Tibet. From Jokhang (633) Samye Monastery (ca 779) to Lukhang Temple (ca 1400), the Potala, Tsaprang, Shalu Monatsery to Gyangtse Palkor Choede etc, the murals range from the ancient treasures of Buddhist culture and heritage.
During the conversation Mr Laird made it known that he had dedicated himself in this historic and personal mission after the destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas by Taliban in Afghanistan.
Mr Laird though a photographer from New Orleans in US has lived in Asia, especially for over 30 years in Nepal. He is disciple of Trulshik Rinpoche and his well-known book, among many others, is The Story of Tibet: In Conversation with the Dalai Lama.
He has been visiting Tibet since 1985 and has been capturing the murals in his work. Though we saw mural of a Avaloketeshvara or a Green Tara as one picture in the book, it has been several pictures taken in sections and finally put together as one, he said.
Displaying huge murals of the Cheresig Buddha to the right and Green Tara to the left and the Murals of Tibet, the book, in the centre on a specially built Japanese frame, Mr Laird further explained, for example, that the golden halos on the murals could not be captured in its true light by cameras. Each halo had to adorned with golden foil and photographed again to give us the golden, lustrous and life- like murals.
Such had had been the pains taking work which took over 10 years in the making of this book. For many murals it had been several trips and innumerable repetitions to bring out the best. In addition, he had to forego with his earlier works as the new multi-image digital photography became his better tool for the work. This breathtaking publication assembles his portfolio in extra-large format with six fold-outs, printed in five colors including gold.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama had signed all copies of the edition in recognition of this World Heritage landmark and the preservation of Tibetan culture.
As Mr Benedikt Taschen was not yet back from his sojourn in Dharamsala at Mind & Life Conference, Marlene Taschen, his daughter stood for him as the hostess for the evening at Lanaken. At the most private and exclusive reception of just over 30 persons including whole crew of over 10 people of Taschen who were involved in the production of book, the evening brought about a surreal ambience.
The reception and the conversation were held in a very artistically refashioned old stable. Whilst the ground floor was turned into a rustic art studio – where the reception was held – the the conversation was convened in the attic turned-neat and warm tuc, climbed by a lone ancient beam hewn as a staircase.
Standing on this strong and rough staircase Ms Tashen greeted the guests at the mid-way of the evening and expressed her pride in bringing together the work and applauded the team that had brought out the stupendous book together – Mr Laird, her father and his team. She further indicated that the team would work together in future ventures.
When the wine, fingerfood and the most humbling and enriching conversation with Mr Laird were done with, with permission from Ms Taschen, Representative Tashi Phuntsok presented scarves to Mr, Laird, Ms Tashcen, the production unit members and the host and hostess, Mr & Mrs Rousseau for their unprecedented contribution in the preservation and promotion of Tibetan unique heritage.
There would not have been a better venue to discuss the ancient Tibetan murals, tucked in the dark deep recesses of the ancient Tibetan monasteries, in a drizzly evening than in an ancient stable turned modern art studio-cum conference room, in a private estate – in other word a chateau – where the huge wrought-iron gate opened only to those invited.
The Bureau du Tibet was most privileged to be invited to this very special and blessed event. Representative Tashi Phuntsok took along with him all his staff in order that all of them were able to be part of this unique opportunity and witness the huge contribution made by Thomas Laird and Taschen in producing this unparalleled work on Tibetan heritage, and thank them jointly.
– Report filed by OOT Brussels –
