Let me try to catch up!
Last week Coleen and I hit DC to take in the Smithsonian Follklife Festival.
The themes were Bhutan, Texas and NASA. Yeah - not sure how NASA is considered folk... aren't they the exact opposite of folk? I mean they use computers and space ships and stuff!!! As for Texas - I was also a bit thrown off by their displays. There was a wine making display (don't really think of wine when I think of Texas), and music and that's about it. So needless to say we spent most of the time in Bhutan. Oh and in case you don't know - Bhutan is situated in the eastern Himalayas and bordered by China and India. (I had to look too)
I could see a great deal of both Chinese and Indian influences in their art.
Bhutan's displays were beautifully ornate and rich with history.
The first thing you see when you step out of the metro and onto the Mall is an amazing recreation of a traditional Bhutanese Buddhist Lhakhang (temple).
After getting some of their delicious rice and chicken with chilli and cheese - we sat down to eat and watch some dancing.
Next it was on to the textile arts. Wow! Just wow. The details and colors were spectacular! We immediately honed in on some luscious silk yarn:
There was weaving and spinning and embroidery and every other textile art you can imagine.
There was also painting in progress. Just look at the details!
This was one of my favorite things. I'm not 100% sure what it is - but it looks like a temple or shrine of some sort.
The details and colors were just amazing.
After walking around the festival - we enjoyed some other beautiful things on the Mall. More on that later!
Happy Tuesday everyone!
9 comments:
wow, what beautiful photos! it looks like it was a great time, i'm so bummed i missed it again this year :(
yeah - not quite sure where Texas or NASA fit in there with the "Folk" theme - weird....
the colors in your pictures are amazing! so vivid!
that looks like such fun.
love your pics, as usual.
Wow., my mouth is still hanging open.... Great Pics of course :D
Neat-o!
wow-- great images!!
What a great day!
Thanks for showing us Jody!
Thanks for sharing. Texas (and some Texans) seems to usually think of itself as its own country. Not sure about NASA... but apparently they'll soon be invaded by Crazy Rasberry (sic) Ants, so maybe the UN will send aid.
I suppose moons and stars are folky? It looks like a really interesting place to visit - I love all the beautiful colours.
Oh my god... the fabric! Gorgeous! And the recreated temple is amazing.
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