November 2, 2006
China, Mongolia, Tibet featured at the Burke
The Burke Museum is featuring Tibet, China and Mongolia in November with a number of events.
Vanished Kingdoms: The Wulsin Photographs of Tibet, China, and Mongolia 1921-1925 opens on Nov. 4. The exhibit features 39 photographs of hand-tinted lantern slides that reveal the dusty glamour of camel caravans, Buddhist monasteries, local rituals, and spectacular scenery of Tibet, China, and Mongolia. These photos are the only record of two early American explorers: Frederick and Janet Wulsin.
Special activities on opening day will include a lecture by the daughter of explorer Janet Wulsin (Mabel Cabot, author of the exhibit’s accompanying book), gallery tours of Tibetan thangkas by art historian Ben Brinkley, and an opportunity to visit with Tibetan artist Dhawa Dhondup Ngoche. Traditional Tibetan tea (mixed with butter and salt) will be served between 10 a.m. and noon. Ben Brinkley will conduct two gallery walks about Buddhist iconography between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The author lecture will be at noon and the Thangka Artist Discussion will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The exhibit will be up through Feb. 4.
Nov. 26 is Mongolian Independence Day. The Burke will celebrate the holiday with Mongolian performers Altanhuyag, Mongonchuluun and Saikhnaa in a program of traditional Mongolian long songs, yatag, and dance. The event is free with admission.
