I�ve got to say, first of all, that this is the most exotic and quixotic �picture-book� I�ve laid my hands on!
The gilt-edged pages, apart from the textual narrative of a 27-year pilgrimage of discovery, contain a collection of kaleidoscopic visual stimuli centred around stupas. A stupa, in the Sanskrit language, literally means �pile� or �heap�, but in Greek it translates as �stump� or �block�. Although the Latin-derived �stupendous� means �amazing�, it would seem that �stupor� would be more analogous, as that word implies the �absence of mental activity� or �nothingness� with which Buddhism paradoxically equates �fullness�. In other words, empty your mind so that it can be filled anew, or something like that.
These temple-like shrines, commonly attributed to the Buddhist faith, vary slightly in shape, texture and name (dagobas, chedis, pagodes, chortens, etc.) from country to country, but nevertheless seem to be typified by the shape of a dinner-bell or a cupola with a pointed tip (a decidedly androgynous silhouette). The majority of them are solid, i.e. not hollowed out, but they may or may not contain relics. On one particular page, the photographic illustration, �Performance Walking Around Borobudur�, gave me an intense feeling of d�j� vu that is completely inexplicable. There are also numerous sketches that fairly leap from the pages, as if three-dimensional.
In conjunction with the stupas, Mr. Purdy also has several colourful and highly-detailed illustrations of mandalas (circular figures symbolizing the universe, as well as being a reflective layoring of realities). One psychological theory holds that dreaming of mandalas represents a search for completeness and self-unity. Stupas are referred to here as stereomorphic mandalas, although I didn�t quite see the connection.
The Buddhists, particularly, have a sort of ritual that is performed by walking (or dancing) in a clock-wise fashion around these stupas, which brings us to the textual narrative (which is in both French and English). Along with concise, but somewhat abstract explanations of Buddhist and tantric philosophies, the author also provides a brief summary of his journey not only to London, England, for academic research, but also to Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka, where he joined a Thedavarin monastery as a novice monk for almost a year.
Even if the reader were not inclined to bother with the text, the illustrations alone make Stupa a fascinating experience! For more background information on this internationally renowned artist from Ottawa (currently residing in Trois Rivieres), visit his website (despite his protestations against the Internet as a viable learning/creation tool) at www.uqtr.ca/dessin. |
