Lao Elephants

The elephants in "The Protector" reminded me of these Lao elephants, so sweet...

Bangkok's Golden Buddhas

Last weekend I saw the movie “The Protector” and I enjoyed it partly because I could relate to so many details- it was very reminiscent of several trips to Laos and Thailand. These included the elephants, water boats and the design styles. The golden and red colours reminded me of these Buddhas from the well known temples in Bangkok: Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew and Bangkok Wat Traimit.

I guess most people should know that one should be respectful in religious shrines, but it was very rather disturbing to witness, last month, an English tourist using foul language on the old lady collecting the $1 fee at the Wat Xieng Thong in Laos.

Favourite Lao artist

My favourite Lao artist is Mick Saylom, a charming guy with an equally charming young family. I first met him in 2005 and between then and now he's become quite well known, with his work being displayed in the new galleries of art in Vientiane.

Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong is the most beautiful and wondrous wat of Luang Prabang. Originally built in 1560 by King Say Setthathirat, it survived numerous invasions. The "red chapel" contains a rare old statue of a reclining Buddha. The glass mosaics on the external buildings were commissioned in the 1950s and depict of popular folk tales and Buddhist history. One building contains the royal funerary chariot of King Sisavang Vong with its seven-headed naga, carved by venerated Lao sculptor Thid Tun. The doors have beautiful carved and gilt portrayals, and other Asian art sculptures and Buddha carvings are to be found inside.

Royal Ballet of Luang Prabang

The Royal Ballet of Luang Prabang was revived in 2003. The troupe was formed to re-establish the ancient Lao Ramayana or pharak pharam ballet of Luang Prabang.

Dancers from the provincial performing arts troupe were brought together with students and a several older musicians and performers to revive the nine episodes of the Lao Ramayana. There are performances several times a week on the grounds of the Royal Museum which are very colorful and vibrant. I was privileged to see performances in December 2005 and 2006. The one in 2006 was a special performance done in front the temple.

Museo de Arte de Ponce

The Museo de Arte de Ponce boasts the most extensive collection of European and Latin art in the Caribbean and contains the second largest collection of religious art in the world. Puerto Rico's former governor Luis A Ferre donated the museum, which contains noteworthy pre-Raphaelite and baroque works. The museaum contains works by Puerto Rican artists such Francisco Oller; Latin American painters such as Bartolome Murillo; and Europeans such as Peter Paul Rubens, Auguste Rodin, and Thomas Gainsborough. The signature painting of the Museum is Flaming June, by Frederick Leighton,