Myanmar: Kingdom of Gold

Michael Gfoeller

Description

Myanmar: Kingdom of Gold is an epic photographic journey through one of world's greatest civilizations. Myanmar is much more than an exotic travel destination. It is home to one of humanity's greatest cultural and artistic traditions, deeply rooted in Buddhism and stretching back in time nearly 3000 years. Myanmar boasts hundreds of golden temples that are among the finest examples of architecture in the world. They are studded with magnificent sculptures, bas-reliefs, and frescoes, and literally covered in gold. In the case of Myanmar, mere description is not enough. Seeing is believing.

Sujets

• Individual Photographers
• Essays
• Photography

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 30 décembre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781977238252
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 13 Mo

Extrait

Myanmar: Kingdom of Gold All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2021 Michael Gfoeller v1.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com

ISBN: 978-1-9772-3825-2

Photographer © 2021 Michael Gfoeller

Technical Editor: Kurt Klein

Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To my wife Tatiana, my Apsara

Photgrapher, Michael Gfoeller

Technical Editor, Kurt Klein

Author's Note

This book consists of a series of photographs taken in the country of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, just before the beginning of the Covid crisis. It offers a glimpse of the remarkable civilization of that coun try, particularly as illustrated by its impressive, uniquely beautiful architecture and scu lpture.

Far from being merely a small, obscure country in S outheast Asia, Myanmar is the heart of an ancient empire that once sprawled acros s much of the region. The roots of its Buddhist civilization go back to the seventh ce ntury BC, when the first Buddhist temples were built. At the time of its defeat by an d absorption into the British Empire in 1885, after 61 years of war, Myanmar was arguably t he more advanced society in many respects. It remains a great civilization with an incredibly rich culture.

This book is organized as a chant or poem written i n light. It emulates the rhythmic, repetitive chanting used in Buddhism and other anci ent religions to produce heightened states of consciousness. Each chapter consists of t wo visual verses, containing ten images. The themes or subjects of the images are re peated throughout the book, gradually shifting as it progresses.

The shimmering vision of visual perfection offered by Myanmar's golden shrines and statues is reminiscent of the vision of ancient Con stantinople presented in W. B. Yeats' poem “Sailing to Byzantium.” For this reason the ti tle of each chapter is drawn from his poem. Just as in Byzantium, in Myanmar sages still stand "in God's holy fire."

Monument of Its Own Magnificence