THE CHAM CIVILIZATION
According to Chinese chronicles, the Champa kingdom was
The Champa kingdom was a federation of several smaller states
founded in 192 AD, and had different names such as Lin-Yi,
called Mandala and comprised several ethnic groups. The most
Huang-Wang and Chang-Chen. Its territories have stretched from
important legacy of the
south of the Ngang Pass in Quang Binh Province to the delta area
Champa
kingdom
of the Dong Nai River in Binh Thuan Province.
located
in
is
Central
Vietnam in brick temples
and towers form, which
are scattered over the
coastal
lowlands
and
highlands. The structures
date from between the 7th
and 8th centuries to the
16th and 17th centuries
and are concentrated in
Quang Nam Danang, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh
Thuan.
THE CHAM ART
The art and architecture of Champa civilization were largely
Champa kings during the period when Buddhism was the dominant
influenced by Hindu and, later, Mahayana Buddhism. Nonetheless,
force.
no matter at what period or in what style the Champa artifacts were
The second period lasted from the 11th to the
made, they always have displayed original characteristics.
15th centuries. The devastating wars from the
end of the 10th century onwards took the
The two periods of Champa art
Champa kingdom into decline, and the
The first period, from the latter half of the 7th century to the end of
relocation of the capital from Tra Kieu to Tra
the 9th century, witnessed the brilliant development of Champa art,
Ban, brought about a new direction in their art. The second period
which
of Champa sculpture had a different beauty. The decorative motifs
reflected
the
most
prosperous era of the Champa
on the animals statues became more
kingdom. Champa art during this
ornate whereas those depicting humans
period
became arid and dull, gradually losing
clearly
exposed
the
Champa's aesthetic personality in a
the
passionate
lively, fresh and liberal style. The
characteristics of the early period. The
statues of the first Champa kings
art pieces discovered at Thap Mam are
with the characteristic big eyes and
monumental sculptures of animals such
noses and thick lips of the native
as elephants, and Garudas, the holy
people, show their vitality and
birds, which served as protectors of the
imposing appearance, create a deep impression with their vigorous,
temples and towers. The Thap Mam
lively and exaggerated style. These carvings show the absolute
style
belief that a supernatural force was supporting the rule of the
represents the last efforts of a civilization on the decline.
with
its
and
enormous
expressive
artifacts
THE CHAM MUSEUM
The museum was established at the end of the 19th century by the
Art from Vietnam at Cultural Services of the
French Embassy
972 Fifth Avenue
New York
l’Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient. The building was designed by
two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, in imitation of the most
commonly used aspects of Champa towers and temples. In 1935
Exhibition of reproductions of Vietnamese Cham
civilization sculptures (7th-15th century) and
monotypes by renowned Vietnamese artist Tu Duy.
the museum was expanded to display the artifacts excavated at Tra
Kieu.
Approximately 300 sculptures collected from Cham temples and
towers throughout Central Vietnam are now displayed in ten
showrooms of the museum. Most of the sculptures are original and
mainly made of three kinds of materials: sandstone, terracotta, and
bronze.
The eight centuries represented at
the Champa museum seem as thick
as a history book, and reflect
faithfully the ups and downs of
champa art. From inanimate stones
came living art; and one gets the
feeling that the warmth of the champa artists’ hands remains on the
fine timeless stone. Simply by standing these invaluable
masterpieces, one can comprehend the noblest idea of art, the
creation of the infinite from the finite.
Presentation by Frederic Brosson (in French and/or
English) on Friday 03/26 at 6pm, Saturday 03/27 at
4pm, Wednesday 03/31 at 6pm, and Friday 01/04.
Reservations: Newyork.STAGECULT5@diplomatie.fr
Private visits for collectors: fbrosson@fiaf.org
Information available in a few days on
http://www.fiaf.org/events/documents/tuduy.doc