Abstract This paper takes a look at Angkor, said to be the largest religious monument in the world. According to the paper, Angkor is located in Cambodia, a land beset by typhoons and rain, heat, huge rivers and deltas, mountains and jungles. The paper reviews the history of the area and the monument.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, there were significant problems that the architects were not able to overcome when designing the great pyramids of Angkor Wat and Bayon. Sandstone may fit together very well, but vertical joints, running on top of one another, makes a wall very unstable. A whole wall would fall down if one stone near the base became dislodged. Since no mortar was used, weight and gravity were the only things holding the walls together. They never were able to create an arch, as the Europeans learned to do, nor use cement or mortar. Instead, they used the corbelled arch, where large stones were piled on top of one another, leaning toward the center, until they touched at the top. These walls and arches were not as stable as a true arch and often collapsed after Angkor was abandoned."
Abstract The paper discusses Cambodia's ancient temples at Angkor and their remains today. The paper then focuses on the notorious Pol Pot Regime of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s and their systematic murder of millions of Cambodians. In addition, the paper looks at the strengths of Cambodia's main industries of tourism and textiles.
From the Paper "Cambodia may be most known for the horrendous Pol Pot Regime of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, a period when at least 1.7 million Cambodians were systematically executed by the Regime. However, Cambodia's history goes back centuries, to a land that supported bands of hunter-gatherers who eventually settled in areas and began farming the rich lands. The first major settlement known in the area is Angkor in about the ninth century. Many historians believe the society was closely modeled on Indian society (Tully 7-8). Residents traded goods with China, Europe, and India, and they wrote in Sanskrit and worshipped in the Hindu religion, but there were influences of Buddha, as well (Tully 12-13)."
Abstract The paper explains how Modigliani is usually thought of in relation to a short, brilliant, avant garde life of much turbulence. The paper shows, however, that his unique 1911 painting, "Standing Nude with Arms Crossed" shows his deep interest in cultural transmission across Asia and beyond. The paper explains that Indochina in the 1890s was annexed by France and the artist seems to have taken interest in Angkor and its Greek, Buddhist, Hindu and other Indian influences. The paper discusses that the figure also reminds of an African fetish style but the details mainly point to the Buddhist temple art in Indochina and its varied roots.
From the Paper "Amedeo Modigliani's "Standing Nude with Cross Arms" was part of a recent Modigliani exhibit to arrive at the Art Gallery of Ontario. (2004-2005) This work of oil on cardboard in its geometric, fetishist and strongly non-Western style prompted reading on what could be learned of its inspiration. The piece is part of the collection of Japan's Nagoya City Art Museum. It can appear as far from anything Japanese, as from the Italian heritage of the artist. In effect, learning about this curious and striking painting was an exercise in learning about a most unusual artist."
