Nepal Pavilion

118 X 117.5 cm     mm/c     2010/7/25

As the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha, Nepal presents a very solemn, exquisite Pavilion with a remarkable display of Buddhist culture and art. A large Buddhist pagoda acts as the centerpiece, surrounded by several folk houses representing styles from different periods. Incorporating Nepalese artistic tradition and innovative decoration ideas into its construction and exhibition, the Pavilion uses about 500 tons of materials including wood, metal, bricks, porcelain and stone for exhibition and decoration items, all of which are handmade. Wood and clay sculptures feature exquisite patterns, which have taken about two years for 350 Nepalese families to complete.

The pavilion recaptures important historic periods in its greater than 2,000-year development as a center for architecture, art and culture. It also depicts the current urban expansion in Kathmandu, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges in environment protection and development of renewable energies.

Dr. Chen completed this painting in essence, collaging a stylized, Buddha silhouette within a centralized stupa – representing great wisdom and enlightenment. Many colored prayer flags fly in all directions from the top. Chen also added some images from Western modern painting into the sky, as if to say that the ideas of Buddhism have influenced the West as well as the East.