PRESS / COMMUNICATION
PRESS RELEASE
EXHIBITION
SACRED ART OF TIBET
THE ALAIN BORDIER COLLECTION
14 MARCH - 21 JULY 2013CURATOR: GILLES BÉGUIN
EXHIBITION DESIGNER: CHRISTOPHE MARTIN
69
Samvara, Titulary Divinity
Gilded copper incrusted with turquoise H. : 28.5 cm ; L. : 24.8 cm ; P. : 10 cm Tibet
15th century
© The Alain Bordier Collection / Photo C. Murtin
THE ALAIN BORDIER COLLECTION
In 2009, the Fondation Alain Bordier opened the “Tibet Museum” in the heart of the medieval city of Gruyères in Switzerland. The Fondation is an intrisically unique institution which presents an exceptional collection of Himalayan art. Art collector Alain Bordier has compiled more than four hundred Buddhist religious objects. He has vowed to share his fascination for Buddhist art and to consolidate a collection of meticulously conserved religious objects.
On the occasion of its 19th exhibition, the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent displays the masterpieces of this collection, thus offering for the delectation of a Parisian public an inestimable panorama of Tibetan sacred art and its Indian and Nepalese origins.
The numerous ancient pieces presented in the exhibition allow us to enjoy works currently missing from national collections, most notably some bronzes from Northeast India, medieval Kashmir and western Tibet. Of the 127 pieces displayed, in tiers from the 6th to the 19th centuries, pieces dating from prior to the 17th century are the best represented. Among the hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist divinities, often portrayed in complex guises, a significant variety permits a privileged glimpse of this field of religious iconography, with a choice place reserved for kindly divinities and for religious portraits.
101
Buddha Sakyamuni
Tempera pigments on cotton H. : 62.5 cm ; L. : 41 cm 15th century
SOME MASTERPIECES
FROM THE COLLECTION
BUDDHA SAKYAMUNI
On the occasion of each cosmic epoch, an “Awakened” Buddha preaches the path to escape the cycle of universal causality which forces beings to suffer from reincarnation to reincarnation.
Sakyamuni, dressed as a monk in an
undergarment and a coat, wears the signs of the Bouddhahood, notably an excrescence of the fontanel at the crown of the head (usnisa) and a whirled tuft of hair low on the forehead (urna).
He expressed his doctrine for the first time at Sarnath, near Benares. He makes the gesture of setting in motion the wheel of Buddhist law which breaks the Cycle of Universal Causality.
4
Buddha Sakyamuni Brass incrusted with silver
H. : 12 cm ; L. : 7,5 cm ; P. : 3.4 cm Kasmir
1st half of the 8th century
PENSIVE AVALOKITESVARA
This elegant young man, dressed like an Indian prince, adorned with jewels and seated nonchalantly in an attitude of relaxation, is one of the countless bodhisattva of the Buddhism of the Great Vehicle and, later, of esoteric Buddhism.
The white lotus that he holds in his hand is the principle attribute of Avalokitesvara, or he who looks from high to low with compassion. 19 Pensive Avalokitesvara Brass H. : 14,5 cm ; L. : 8,5 cm ; P. : 6,5 cm Northern India 6th – 7th century
TARA
Certain goddesses possess the rank of bodhisattva. Thus the goddess Tara helps the pious to traverse the world of suffering which is their fate. A beautiful and elegant young girl, she scatters her gifts, spriritual as well as material, with her right hand. Feminine counterpart to Avalokitesvara, she also holds the stem of a white lotus flower which blooms at the height of her shoulder.
36 Tara Gilded copper H. : 24,2 cm ; L. : 6,4 cm ; P. :6,4 cm Kathmandu Valley 6th century
THE MANDALA OF HEVAJRA
The centrally placed and oriented diagrams known as mandalas represent divine celestial palaces. Linked to the initiation rituals, they are also helpful for meditation.
The divinity occupies the center of the palace, most often the heart of a
blooming lotus flower. He or she is surrounded by his attendant deities, located on the petals of the central flower, but also scattered in the galleries. Then one or many pregnant deities, pierced by four doors, are represented both in contour and in relief. Circles of protection protect the sacred space : lotus flowers, “diamond thunderbolts” and flames. The mandala of the divinities with wrathful faces possess an additional circle, in which is depicted eight mythic sepulchres in which the saintly men must destroy their passions.
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The Mandala of Hevajra Tempera pigments on cotton H. : 46 cm ; L. : 41 cm Southern Tibet c. 1400
© The Alain Bordier Collection / Photo C. Murtin
HEVAJRA, TUTELARY DIVINITY
The two tutelary divinities are personifications of philosophical systems, linked to rituals which serve as guides to the path to Enlightenment. The two most important, Samvara and Hevajra, possess complex iconographies : varied attributes, arms for combatting ignorance, skull cups of the enemies of
buddhism and macabre jewellery representing the elements instrumental in the quest for liberation from the cycle of Universal Causality.
Symbols of the means used to attain
Awakening are represented in intimate union with the goddesses and their “wisdom” is also known as the consciousness of Universal Emptiness.
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Hevajra, Tutulary Divinity Gilded copper
H. : 15.5 cm ; L. : 12.1 cm ; P. : 7.5 cm Tibet
c. 1550-1650
MAHAKALA, GUARDIAN OF THE RELIGION
Mahakala, the « Great Dark One » , originally the savage aspect of the Hindu god, Siva, is among the group of eight guardians of the doctrine. Legends recount how he submitted and converted to esoteric Buddhism. He has since vowed to protect his new religion. His expression is frightening, as much by its
expression as by his sinister jewels, because he must be as revolting as the evil forces that he must conquer. In his left hand, he holds the skull cup, fill with the blood of the enemies of Buddhist law. In his other principle hand, he does not brandish his second attribute, a cleaver, but makes a menacing gesture. In his second pair of hands, he wields the gladiator sword and the trident.
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Mahakala, guardian of the religion Tempera pigments on cotton H. : 69 cm ; L. : 47 cm Tibet
17th century
BIOGRAPHIES
GILLES BÉGUIN, EXHIBITION CURATOR
Honorary General Conservator of the Patrimony, former Director of the Cernuschi Museum, Museum of Asian Arts of the City of Paris.
Born in Paris in 1946, Gilles Béguin studied art history and archaeology at the Sorbonne and at the Ecole du Louvre. After passing a competitive exam, he became assistant of the National Museums. Named conservator of the Guimet Museum in 1971, he was in charge of the collections from Nepal and of Lama Buddism for twenty-three years. He was named Chief Conservator in 1992. From 1994 to 2011, he was director of the Cernuschi Museum.
He has organized numerous exhibitions including, among others :
La Route de la soie, Paris, Grand-Palais, 1976 ;
Dieux et démons de l’Himalaya, Paris, Grand-Palais - Munich, Haus der Kunst, 1977 ;
Sources, développements et rayonnement de l’architecture tibétaine, Rome, Universita « la Sapienza » - Paris, Musée Guimet, 1987 ;
Art ésotérique de l’Himalaya, la donation Lionel Fournier, Paris, Musée national des Arts asiatiques - Guimet, 1990 ;
Trésors de Mongolie, Paris, Musée national des Arts asiatiques - Guimet, 1993 ;
La Cité interdite. Vie publique et privée des Empereurs de Chine (1644-1991), Paris, Musée du Petit Palais, 1996 ;
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The religious Chos-kyi-rje grags-pa ‘byung-gnas Gilded copper
Chine. La gloire des empereurs. Vingt cinq ans d’archéologie, Paris, Musée du Petit Palais, 2000 ;
Chine. L’Enigme de l’Homme de Bronze. Archéologie du Sichuan (XIIe-IIIe siècles avant J.-C.), Hôtel de Ville de Paris, 2003 ;
Les Buddhas du Shandong, Paris, Musée Cernuschi, 2009.
He presided over the total renovation of the Cernuschi Museum from 2001 to 2005.
Gilles Béguin has an authored an impressive selection of scientific articles, pedagogical brochures, exhibition catalogues and art books.
He has taught at the Ecole du Louvre (Chair of Indian Art) and presided over conferences at the Sorbonne Paris IV (Art History of the Far East) from 1993 to 2003. Today he teaches at IESA. He has attended many conferences in France and abroad.
CHRISTOPHE MARTIN, EXHIBITION DESIGNER
Trained as an architect, but interested in the theatre from a young age,
Christophe Martin has made nomadic or ephemeral architecture his specialty. His concepts have found fertile ground through various projects he has completed in the cultural space of the Galeries Lafayette. At the same time, he displays his talent for scenography in other architectural domains, such as habitations, art galleries and offices, the latter mostly notably including the Education Department at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
He encountered American set designer Robert Wilson in 1996 on the occasion of a light sculpture project. They collaborated closely for more than twelve years on many set design projects for theatre and opera.
French singer Patricia Kaas asked him to construct a stage set for her world tour, Kabaret, in 2010-2011.
In 2005, Pierre Bergé commissioned him to design the space for the exhibition,
Yves Saint Laurent Smoking Forever, at the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent. Christophe Martin has worked on many other exhibitions for the Fondation and most recently he oversaw the general renovation, conversion into a museum space, and of course, the scenography of the Berber Museum at the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.
REGARDING THE EXHIBITION
EXHIBITION CATALOGUESACRED ART OF TIBET
THE ALAIN BORDIER COLLECTION
Catalogue written by Gilles Béguin (French version only) Prefaces by Pierre Bergé, Alain Bordier et Gilles Béguin Editions Findakly, 2013, €35
CONFERENCES / ENCOUNTERS
On the occasion of each exhibition, the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent organises events open to all: curators, historians, conservators and artists assist us to deepen and enrich our view of the subjects addressed by each exhibition.
For more information on the program starting in March 2013, please take a look at our internet site: www.fondation-pb-ysl.net
Conference included in the exhibition entry fee.
Reservation mandatory. Please contact: +33 (0)1 44 31 64 17 / 19 or conferences@fondation-pb-ysl.net
FONDATION PIERRE BERGÉ
-YVES SAINT LAURENT
The Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, which opened in 2002, is the culmination of forty years of creativity. It retraces the world of fashion created by Yves Saint Laurent, fashion that reveals the inner workings of society. Using masculine codes, Saint Laurent brought women a sense of security and daring while preserving their femininity. His clothes embody 20th century history. They have accompanied the emancipation of women in every domain, whether personal, social or political. Today, the Foundation transforms these memories into projects, pursuing an adventure begun long ago.
The mission of the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, a state-recognized foundation since December 5, 2002, is to: - Conserve 5,000 garments, 15,000 haute couture accessories and 50,000 sketches and other items that testify to Saint Laurent’s genius;
- Organize exhibitions: fashion, painting, photography and drawing among others;
- Support artistic, cultural and educational projects. In 2010, the Fondation inherited the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, originally saved by Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé in 1980. In the heart of the Jardin, which receives more than 600,000 visitors each year, the Berber Museum opened in 2011. It exhibits the Berber culture through a panorama of over 600 items.
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, rue de Babylone, 1982 © Vladimir Sichov Front of the 5 avenue Marceau, Paris
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
EXHIBITION SPACE AND BOUTIQUE 3 rue Léonce Reynaud, Paris 16ème Tél. +33 (0)1 44 31 64 31
Open every day except Mondays from 11 am to 6 pm (last entry at 5.30 pm) Closed when there is no temporary exhibition as well as on January 1, May 1, May 8, July 14, August 15 and December 25
Exhibition accessible to people with disabilities Full price : 7€
Reduced price : 5€ for students, people under 25 and seniors upon presentation of a valid card
Free for ICOM-ICOMOS card holders, children under 10 and job-seekers upon presentation of a valid card less than 1 year old
www.fondation-pb-ysl.net
VISIT THE STUDIO OF
YVES SAINT LAURENT
The Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, in partnership with the CULTIVAL AGENCY, arranges guided tours for the public of:
• the Reception Salons • Yves Saint Laurent’s Studio
• and the current temporary exhibition
These guided visits are available in French, English or Spanish.
Reservation mandatory. Please contact +33 (0)8 25 05 44 05 (0.15€/mn) or contact@cultival.fr
For more information, please see www.cultival.fr
EXHIBITIONS AT THE FOUNDATION
COMING SOON
Art sacré du Tibet – Collection Alain Bordier, from March 14 to July 21, 2013
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Accelerated Buddha, from October 10, 2013 to January 26, 2014
Femmes berbères, from March to July 2014
Hedi Slimane Photographies, from October 2014 to January 2015
Fleurs, Symbolique, Illusion, from March to July 2015
PAST EXHIBITIONS
Du côté de chez Jacques-Emile Blanche, Un salon à la Belle Époque, 2012
Kabuki - Costumes du théâtre japonais, 2012
Gisèle Freund, L’Oeil frontière, Paris 1933-1940, 2011
Saint Laurent rive gauche, La révolution de la mode, 2011
David Hockney : Fleurs fraîches, Dessins sur iPhone et iPad, 2010
Vanité. Mort, que me veux-tu ?, 2010
Les derniers Maharajas, Costumes du Grand Durbar à l’Indépendance, 2010
Le costume populaire russe, 2009
Jean-Michel Frank, un décorateur dans le Paris des années 30, 2009
David Seidner Photographies, 2008
Une passion marocaine Caftans, Broderies, Bijoux, 2008
Yves Saint Laurent Théâtre, Cinéma, Music-hall, Ballet, 2007
Yves Saint Laurent Nan Kempner, une américaine à Paris, 2007
Yves Saint Laurent Voyages Extraordinaires, 2006
André Ostier Photographies, 2006
Yves Saint Laurent Smoking Forever, 2005
,
KabuKiCostumes du théâtre japonais
exposition du 7 m ars au 1 5 juillet 2 0 1 2
SouS le patronage de l’ambaSSade du Japon en France
5, avenue Marceau – Paris 16 e
Métro : Alma Marceau de 11 h à 18 h (fermé le lundi) uchikake de miuraya agemaki. © Shôchiku costume co., ltd., tokyo
conception graphique :
OFF-SITE EXHIBITIONS
CURRENTLY
Yves Saint Laurent a visionary, ING Cultural Center, Brussels, Belgium,
from January 30 to May 5, 2013
PAST EXHIBITIONS
Yves Saint Laurent retrospective
Denver Art Museum, United States of America, 2012
MAPFRE Foundation, Madrid, Spain, 2011
Yves Saint Laurent et le Maroc
Villa des Arts, ONA Foundation, Casablanca, Morocco, 2011
Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco, 2010
Rétrospective Yves Saint Laurent, Petit Palais, Paris, France, 2010
Viagens Extraordinarias, Centro Cultural de Brasil, Rio, Brasil, 2009
Yves Saint Laurent Style
de Young Museum, San Francisco, United States of America, 2008
Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Canada, 2008
Dialogo con el Arte, Caixa Galicia Foundation, La Coruña, Spain, 2008
SPONSORSHIP
Paris Autumn Festival
Palais de Tokyo : Modules Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent Quai Branly Museum
Friends of Jean Cocteau Jean Giono Prize
Médiathèque Musicale Mahler French Institute of Fashion