T I B E T
19. AUG.-26. NOV. 2006 VILLA HÜGEL ESSEN
Press information I short version
TIBET – treasures from Tibetan monasteries
19th August to 26th November 2006: unique Tibet exhibition in the Villa Hügel
The Villa Hügel in Essen, once the residence of the Krupp family, has made itself a
nationwide reputation amongst the cultural institutions of North-Rhine Westphalia. Besides
presenting important works by old masters it has attracted the attention of the general public
with its major cultural and historical projects. One of its focal points is the art and culture of
Central Asia and the Far East.
Against the background of this tradition the Kulturstiftung Ruhr has now made it possible to
visitors to familiarise themselves with a fascinating culture – Tibet and its almost unknown
monastic treasures. From 19th August to 26th November 2006 the Villa Hügel is showing a
large number of old religious artworks from the treasuries of Tibetan monasteries. Some of
these works date back 1500 years and the majority have never before left Tibet; all of which
makes this not only a unique event but also a world première. When the exhibition closes in
Essen there are plans for it to be taken over by the "Staatliche Museen" in Berlin.
Around 150 exhibits ranging from life-size sculptures and paintings to altar equipment make
clear the breadth of style in Tibetan art, and give visitors a vivid insight into Tibetan Buddhist
culture. For Buddhism is the substance of Tibetan identity and all forms of art were always
the expression of this philosophy.
Even today the artworks, most of which were created anonymously between the 5th and early
20th century still serve as ritual and cult objects in the monasteries of Tibet, and are held in
awe by lay people and clerics alike. The exhibition is therefore not merely a presentation of
highly valuable and beautiful artistic treasures, but also of the cultural and spiritual legacy of
a self-assured people.
The exhibition owes its existence to the generous cooperation of the Tibetan cultural
authorities, above all to the monks in the country’s monasteries. Although the principle of an
art exhibition and the related consciousness of autonomous art is alien to their culture they
were fascinated by the idea of making their monastic treasures accessible to a large general
public.
Thus the most prominent loans for the exhibition at the Villa Hügel come from the
monasteries of Sakya, Tashi Lhunpo, Palkhor Chode in Gyantse, Shalu and Mindroling,
along with the Potala Palace in Lhasa with its inconceivably huge collection of exhibits, the
former summer palace of the Dalai Lama – the Norbu Lingka – the Tibet Museum and the
Yarlung Museum in Tsethang.
One of the focal points of the exhibition– and certainly also one of its high points – is a group
of sculptures whose vividness and perfection defies comparison: ten almost life-size bronze
portraits by the masters of the Sakya school dating back to the early 16th century. Further
highlights include a huge sculpture of the thousand-armed Avalokitesvara with individually
wrought hands, an exceptionally well-preserved illuminated Indian manuscript from the 11th
century and the so-called "thangkas", artistically painted, woven and embroidered Tibetan
scroll paintings some of which are extraordinarily old.
The particular merit of the exhibition is to further our knowledge of Tibetan art, which up till
now has primarily been based on exhibits in private collections in the West, by extending our
attention to those works which have remained in Tibet. In addition the exhibition has thrown
up a considerable amount of pioneering academic work. Many of the exhibits shown here
have been unpublicised to date and this is the first time that they have been subject to a
thorough process of academic study.
Sanskrit names and terms have been anglicised.
Pressestelle: Claudia Holthausen I Tel. 0201/61629-16 I Fax 0201/61629-11 I Mobil 0172/2784981 I presse@villahuegel.de