Ritual Bells; VMFA- "Forbidden City"; Field Sketch with pencil; Alex Norman Our field trip to the VMFA to see the "Forbidden City" exhibition was quite an adventure. I barely made it half way through the showing rooms before it was time to head on back to school. Every piece of art on display was immaculate and ornate, made with unbelievable craft. From the intricate inlays to the detailed carvings, stitching, and bead work, I was amazed by the details of the imagery and symbolism that adorned not only decorative but utilitarian objects. Perhaps it was these details that made it easy to lose yourself admiring just one piece for a long period of time.
This said, there were several items on display that intrigued my curiosity and I found inspiration in for my own art. Among these items was a set of ritual bells dated 1713. This wall-sized piece of art is said to be one of the most important instruments used for formal and state events held within the China's Forbidden City. The ritual bells were often played outside of a palace hall during an events such as the emperor's enthronement, sacrifices, and banquets. It consists of 16 gilt bronze bells cast with designs of dragons and clouds on their outer surface. The bells are suspended from a lacquered wooden stand supported by a pair of crouching lions. I found it fascinating to learn that it is varying inner diameters, heights, and wall thicknesses of the bells that allows them to produce distinct musical notes. Moreover, when someone strikes them along the rims they sound tones that are more rhythmic in nature. On the other side of the hall was a very similar instrument. This instrument however, had a set of jade chimes hanging from the hooks on the wooden beams. Like the ritual bells, the chimes are uniform in size, but the tone they emit depends on the thickness of the jade. Interestingly, the thicker chimes produce higher notes. Sometime in the future, I would love to try my hand at making an instrument. An instrument would allow a viewer to not only be the observer but also the artist, for in the interaction with the art such a person would be fulfilling the piece's purpose by making art in the form of music. In the end, being able to emit sound would give my work a greater depth, and curious interactive quality that could serve to further my exploration of the ways in which man connects with art,
http://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/forbidden-city/
This said, there were several items on display that intrigued my curiosity and I found inspiration in for my own art. Among these items was a set of ritual bells dated 1713. This wall-sized piece of art is said to be one of the most important instruments used for formal and state events held within the China's Forbidden City. The ritual bells were often played outside of a palace hall during an events such as the emperor's enthronement, sacrifices, and banquets. It consists of 16 gilt bronze bells cast with designs of dragons and clouds on their outer surface. The bells are suspended from a lacquered wooden stand supported by a pair of crouching lions. I found it fascinating to learn that it is varying inner diameters, heights, and wall thicknesses of the bells that allows them to produce distinct musical notes. Moreover, when someone strikes them along the rims they sound tones that are more rhythmic in nature. On the other side of the hall was a very similar instrument. This instrument however, had a set of jade chimes hanging from the hooks on the wooden beams. Like the ritual bells, the chimes are uniform in size, but the tone they emit depends on the thickness of the jade. Interestingly, the thicker chimes produce higher notes. Sometime in the future, I would love to try my hand at making an instrument. An instrument would allow a viewer to not only be the observer but also the artist, for in the interaction with the art such a person would be fulfilling the piece's purpose by making art in the form of music. In the end, being able to emit sound would give my work a greater depth, and curious interactive quality that could serve to further my exploration of the ways in which man connects with art,
http://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/forbidden-city/
