Wrathful Energies Revisited

The May 7th show of "The Wrathful Energies" at the Rubin Museum of Art was a HUGE success!!!

Over 100 people were in attendance to experience the ferocious intensity, and the transformation! Photographer Deanna Wallach captured the story beautifully(click on the link below to view more pictures).


We are now
working on the final in the BARDO
series at the Rubin Museum of Art:
Rebirth,
Friday
June 4,
8PM
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deannawallachphotography/sets/72157624028853410/

Making of Mask: Wrathful Energies

For the "Wrathful Energies" installment of the Tibetan Book of the Dead series (May 7th, 8pm Rubin Museum of Art), I knew that masks were going to be an essential part of creating the ferocious deities of the Buddhist pantheon. As one who has observed and studied Cham dances of Buddhist performing arts, and being a sculptor myself, this was a joyful experience!

For Yama, I was fortunate to find a cow's mask and transform it with paint, clay and leather into the fierce "Lord of Death".

For Mahakala, the wrathful emination of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, I used paper mache from scratch, as is the traditional style. This mask also follows the tradition of the performer seeing through the nostrils.
Both masks I created in the traditional method of the eyes being the last detail, and an "opening of the eyes"ceremony to envoke the spirit into the creation.

Finally, when a performer wears the mask, the energy of the wrathful deitey in all of its power and ferociousness is truly brought to life "Each thundering in turn," to terrify and delight!

"WRATHFUL ENERGIES" this Friday RMA 8pm

This Friday, May 7th at 8pm(museum is free 7-10pm, so come early, see the art and get a good spot!) on the 5th floor, the BARDO exhibition of the Rubin Museum of Art, the Dharma Players proudly present: "The Wrathful Energies"

This is the 3rd installment in our 4 part series based on Jean Claude Van Itallie's "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" play, inspired by the teachings of the Bardo.

The Wrathful Energies explores the frightful and intense hallucinations one might confront in the Bardo(period between Death and Rebrith). The goal is to confront these energies and recognize them as no more than the product of your own mind and fears.