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Post by twoupman on Apr 9, 2016 16:27:34 GMT -5
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Post by chansomvia on Apr 14, 2016 6:05:49 GMT -5
Hi twoupman
Thanks for showing the way to see the BBC show on the art of China. Seeing the show reignites the feeling of the tremendous loss of treasures from China and the Orient.
I initially looked at awe as a youngster at the oriental art exhibitions at one of the Museums of Oriental Art in Paris, not the Guimet Museum, in the 1950's, and recently at the exhibitions at Taipei Museum. I felt helpless when reading the stories of the sacking of the Forbidden City in Beijing and can only imagine the looting that took place before the buildings were burnt down as I walked at the rebuilt city.
In New Zealand the Maoris managed to get the heads of their countrymen returned from these art collectors who collected them, I wonder whether any of the looted art will ever be returned to China, some art pieces were taken as spoils of war not only from China but from Indo-China from the French, also from India so the return can be negotiated. The French and possibly the English says that they "bought" some of the art, the negotiation to buy these back is a business deal.
In the mean-time when we visit these museums think back how the exhibits arrived there, we are also seeing the wholesale destruction of historical items in the Middle East so the BBC documentary at least keeps the memories alive.
Joe
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Post by twoupman on Apr 14, 2016 18:08:39 GMT -5
chansomvia, Agree with you that a lot of China’s treasures were plundered and swindled by foreigners in the past when China was weak and not united. It will be very difficult to retrieve them from overseas. Nonetheless, China is trying to repatriate them to the best of their abilities but it is an arduous task. Even patriotic wealthy Chinese citizens have spent millions in their personal search to return some of the stolen treasures found in overseas auctions back to China. However, theft is not limited to foreigners. Take for example the Palace Museum you visited in Taipei, Taiwan. The treasures you saw are the largest collection to be found in one location but they were actually stolen by the Nationalists when they fled and retreated to Taiwan in 1949. Yet, when you visit the real Palace Museum in Beijing you will notice it is devoid of Imperial treasures which is indeed a very sad spectacle considering the magnificence of the historical Imperial Palace itself. So what is the point? Theft also occurred among the Chinese themselves and Taiwan have yet to return them to China proper. What a sad state of affairs, all due to politics. twoupman houseofchinn.com |
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Post by twoupman on Apr 15, 2016 13:05:07 GMT -5
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Post by chansomvia on Apr 18, 2016 5:46:51 GMT -5
An unforgettable sight I saw in the Museum of Oriental Art in Paris in the early 60's was a rolled up scroll with horses and their flowing mane, the scroll partly unfurled and was hung over three storeys, I believe that the scroll was only half opened. I went back to Paris after 25 years and was not able to find that museum again although I went to many other Oriental museums in Paris. Tried googling it but not successful. Even a place as isolated as New Zealand the politics of the Kuomintong and the Communist in the 50's led to a lot of friction amongst the Chinese settlers, it led to many Chinese Associations in New Zealand closing down as there was, I was told, a lot of infighting amongst the Committee members.
We in this forum are interested in history, hence the BBC series is good as it records the art, too many items have been blasted to smithereens lately in the name of destroying all images and idols. I am not judgemental on this as it is much beyong my control. Helen has unraked quite a bit of historical happenings on the American railroad which my late second uncle was transported in a cattle wagon with 50 other Chinese from San Francisco to Cuba, not allowed to leave the carriage all the way.
Joe
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Post by twoupman on Apr 22, 2016 14:56:02 GMT -5
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