A kínai divattervező felháborodást keltett a thangka művészet felhasználása miatt

2020. március 4./Phayul.com/TibetPress

Jelenleg csak angolul olvasható. Magyarul később.

By Choekyi Lhamo

 

DHARAMSHALA, MAR 4: Chinese fashion designer, Guo Pei, sparked controversy online for appropriating sacred Tibetan Thangka art in her recent fashion collection of Couture Spring 2020 show, reports NextShark. The renowned couturier shared images of her Spring/Summer collection last week on instagram which was duly criticised for disrespecting Tibetan culture and religion.

Tibetan thangka commonly depicts a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala; thangkas are used for worship and are kept unframed for display only for devotional purposes. One of the comments on social media said, “This person used a Tibetan word ‘Thangka’ without any mention of Tibet. No credit. And used culturally significant art. The fashion line would completely be fine being called ‘Himalayan’, without appropriation.”

When asked by Instagram users why a Thangka design on a dress could be disrespectful, one user cited the problematic use by someone who is a Chinese. “The reason it’s disrespectful is that Chinese gov which is communist commits continued genocide in Tibet, because Tibet was illegally occupied violently,” the user explained.

“It’s a very sensitive issue for Tibetans to see their sacred art – called Thangka – used in this way especially by someone who is Chinese,” another user pointed out. “Regardless of how beautiful the piece may be, using sacred religious art for fashion is tantamount to throwing a Thangka painting on the floor and stomping on it.” “This is what it has come to…. disrespecting ones religion and using the Thangka (sacred paintings of deities) as a piece of clothing and it is being dragged on the floor too,” a separate comment noted.

The post has received scores of comments from Tibetans calling out this appropriation of their culture which has been under China for more than 60 years. Acts of similar appropriation has come under criticisms before, but since the show was underway on a global platform, the outrage by the Tibetans and Tibet enthusiasts has raised serious concerns. Guo Pei has yet to address the criticisms she received on social media.