Ancient Modern
Two-handled vessel in the shape of a water skin, approx. 1200-800 BCE. Northern Iran; probably Amlash. Earthenware. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60P2015.
What old objects in the Asian Art Museum strike you as modern (or contemporary) in some way? With the exhibition Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past opening, now is the time to think about this.
We’ve created a page on Tumblr with a few of my picks, including the vase pictured. You can also submit your own candidates, with a short statement for each saying what you find modern about it—see what others have added here. Take a look through our online collection; you may be surprised by what you find.
One Response to “Ancient Modern”
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Nancy on May 22nd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I am always struck by how ageless so much Asian work looks, especially the pottery. That piece above could have been designed by Matisse or even Picasso. Love the new show – I’m still processing it but will have a review up later. Congratulations to the Asian on the courage to mount such a departure from tradition — and to make it mostly work.