NW: Indo-Pakistan subcontinent SE & E: China, Laos & Thailand Irrawaddy & other rivers form a delta in the

south; Bay of Bengal & the Indian Ocean Indian culture & Buddhism entered Burma via

the Bay of Bengal Land route from India to China passing

through Burma Rich in brick, timber(teak), ores, & precious

stones Tropical climate with SW monsoon rains in

summer

4 main historical periods: pre-Pagan (1st cent B.C.), Pagan, post-Pagan, & Rangoon-Mandalay (18th-19th cent) within which various settlements (Chinese, Shans, Mongols, Thais, Laotians & Khmers) were established

Capital moved from Pagan to Ava to Pegu, then to Mandalay

Art & architecture are a reflection of Buddhist devotion

Bldgs: religious in character Basic stupa (zedi, later, pagoda) form was

massive brick cylindrical constn. built upon a plinth of 3 or 5 terraces; basic temple form: square in plan with brick walls enclosing narrow, vaulted corridors embracing a solid masonry core which had centrally placed niches on each side to accommodate Buddha statues; walls bore frescoes & bas reliefs: the central core rose in receding storeys & was crowned with a tapering silkhara-type finial of Orrisan-Indian character

Use of true arch with radiating voussoirs to form semicircular pointed barrel vaults

Ananda Temple, Pagan Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon

Region covers the areas of the Mekong river delta

S: China Sea; W: Gulf of Siam; E: Moi highlands; N: Mountains of central Laos

Prin. bldg. mats: timber, laterite, sandstone & terra-cotta brick

Tropical (humid heat) with SW monsoon (rain & wind)

Funanese period (3-6th cent A.D.) : small states were founded according to

Chinese tradition Later Funanese & early Khmer period (7-8th

cent) : political wars & confusion Early classical Khmer period(9th cent) : architecture had a primordial role—building

of the 1st city of Angkor, Bakong (1st stone temple in the grand style with the introduction of an elaborate system which was not only an integral part of architectural schemes but a vital element in the economic & social life of the nation

Transitional classical Khmer period(10-11cent) : saw an interlude of dynastic quarrels & the creation of other capital cities

Classical Khmer Period (12-13th cent) : represented a hundred years of pomp &

glory before the gradual decline; bldg. of the temple city of Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom by Suryavarman II; rebldg. of Angkor Thom by Jayavarman VII (not only a mystic & a Mahayana Buddhist but also had great military powers)

Pre-Khmer era: indigenous animistic beliefs Hinduism predominated with Mahayana

Buddhism as a subordinate religion 13th cent: conversion to Theravada Buddhism

* Theravada Buddhism preached the virtues of simplicity & rejected the god-king image

Grandeur of conception Brilliant landscaping Unsurpassed town planning in a strictly

formal sense Exuberant decoration on a grandiose scale

but of exquisite refinement Bldg. technique remained unsophisticated

(stone was used like wood)

Stone walls were often reinforced with timber beams inserted in hollowed-out centers (when the wood rotted, the stones blocks fell)

Corbelled vaulting spanning small spaces No mortar was used

Bakong Temple, Rolous Ta Keo Temple City of Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Bayon, Angkor Thom

NW & W: Burma NE & E: Laos & Cambodia Rich in durable, decorative timbers e.g. teak

& ebony suitable for all types of construction work

Brick- also prin. bldg. mat Stone- little used except for foundation Tropical climate with monsoon rains & winds

14th cent: Ayudha, the capital was destroyed by the Burmese; fell briefly Burmese hands

Occupied by the Japanese during WW II Maintained considerable independence

throughout history Always suspicious of European intentions &

managed to evade colonialist rule Buddhism came early via Celyon & Burma

superimposed upon indigenous animism; prevailing influence on art & architecture for 500 yrs

Reflects Buddhist influence Use of stone instead of traditional brick &

rubble Interiors: sculpture & mural painting Ornamentation: Chinese characters Surfaces finished with porcelain tiles Walls: white, stuccoed brick

Roofs: highly colored, glazed tiles; multi-level overlapping roofs

Gable & barge boards decorated with Hindu-Angkor iconography e.g. nagas; Vishnu in a garuda; Siva on a bull

Door & window shutters: of carved wood lacquered in black & gold & inlaid with mother–of-pearl themes of guardian divinities, enchanted forests, ferns & flowers, & still life

Wat Kukut Temple, Lempun Wat Mahadhatu Temple, Lopburi Wat Jet Yot Temple, near Chiangmai Royal Palace, Bangkok Temple of the Dawn, Bangkok

Archipelago stretching from the south of Thailand, the Phils. to the west of New Guinea

Volcanic rock (solidified lava) used extensively

Abundant timber: especially used for houses Tropical climate

Under Indian cultural & religious influence, society divided between court & peasantry

Hindu & Buddhist influences left impressive arch’l evidence

Moslem influence gained ground Colonial presence (Port., Dutch, Brit., etc.) in

the later part prior to independence

2 interacting movements molded the character of Indonesian art & architecture:

1- ancient indigenous peasant culture of animistic faith & 2- Hindu-Buddhist beliefs

Islam also from India spread & later ousted other beliefs

Solid stone walls, corbelled arches & no load-bearing cols.: consummated in the stupa of Borobudor

“long house” – traditional dwelling generally raised on stilts & often sheltering an entire clan; carved & decorated wooden pillars; facades adorned with colored patterns of intertwined flowers; inward sloping ridge (saddle-back) roofs with high gables & each side decorated with buffalo horns

Stupas @ Borobudor, central Java