Calligraphies in Conversation 2015

Ziya Art Centre hosts its second Calligraphies in Conversation International Exhibition in multiple locations across Northern California between November 7th - December 12th 2015.

This year, over 70 artworks is curated out of over 250 submissions from local, national and international artists and calligraphers including Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Italy, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, UK, and USA. A range of diverse traditions and scripts will be exhibited, with an array of Western, Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, and Indian traditional calligraphy artworks as well as manifestations of calligraphy in some contemporary and abstract art pieces. The exhibition will host a wide assortment of medium including calligraphy with traditional tools, painting, pottery and ceramics, digital arts and 3D printing, mixed media, metal art and jewellery, collage, and installation.

This is the second occasion Tashi Mannox has been invited to exhibit at the Calligraphy in Conversation event - this time showing one of his more major art-pieces called the Five Coloured Hum. 

The Five Coloured Hum -

The main character hum is colored relating to the five Buddha families and their respective colours. This particular system is in accordance to the teaching of Chogyam Trungpa. (on Hum: “an approach to Mantra” from the collected works Vol 5)

1. bindu head ‘m’, red in colour, Buddha of all accomplishing wisdom.

2. crescent moon, green in colour, Buddha of all encompassing wisdom.
3. ‘ha’ body, white in colour, Buddha of mirror-like wisdom.
4. small ‘a’, yellow in colour, wisdom Buddha of equality.
5. ‘u’ vowel, blue in colour, Buddha of discriminating wisdom.

The Petsug text in Dutch gold leaf is from another text on the Hum character called:

‘The prayer for the realisation of Hum’.

‘Although the enlightened awareness of all the Buddhas of the three times without exception is innately pure, spontaneously established, and beyond description, imagination or expression, the unimpeded union of luminosity and utter lucidity within the Hum, within the self-radiance of the five poisons, uninterrupted pristine cognizance. 

Translation by Eric Tsiknopoulos

Here is the list of the venues:

- November 7th, 5 – 8 p.m. at ICCNC at 1433 Madison Street, Oakland CA 94612

Free opening reception ceremony with remarks, refreshments, and panel discussion and calligraphy demonstration by award winning international calligraphers including:

- Ronald Y. Nakasone: Master in East Asian literati tradition and a member of the Core Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU)

- Arash Shirinbab: Award winning artist and Arabic-Persian calligrapher

- Amol Saraf: Award winning artist and tribal Indian calligrapher from India

- Leon Sun: Printmaker, photographer, painter, graphic designer, three-dimensional artist, writer, poet

- November 14th, 2 – 5 p.m. at Oakland Main Public Library at 125 14th St., Oakland, CA 94612

Free calligraphy demonstrations by award winning and renowned master calligraphers including:

- Rick Paulus: Former White House chief calligrapher

- Alan A. Blackman: Well-known calligrapher & lettering artist (Western scripts)

- Elizabeth Nisperos: Multidisciplinary calligrapher reviving the lost Baybayin script of Philippines 

- Arash Shirinbab: Award winning artist and Arabic-Persian calligrapher

- November 21st, 2 – 5 p.m. at OACC at 388 Ninth St., #290, Oakland, CA 94607

Free special calligraphy silent auction with refreshments, curator’s talk, and calligraphy and art demos by local calligraphers and artists

- December 12th, 2 – 4 p.m. at ICCNC at 1433 Madison Street, Oakland CA 94612

Free closing reception and hands-on workshop: The art of Persian painting and Islamic geometric design in relation to calligraphy. By Maryam Vesal, local artist and maestro of Persian Miniature and Tazheeb.

هنرمند گرامی، با عرض سلام، در صورتی که نام شما در میان اسامی پذیرفته شدگان در نمایشگاه ما بود، مجددا به شما تبریک گفته و خواهشمندیم که حتما هماهنگ فرمایید و آثار را از طریق پست تا قبل از تاریخ 30 اکتبر به دبیرخانه ما برسانید. اطلاعات دبیرخانه:

Organization: ICCNC/ for Calligraphy Exhibition

Address: Street: 1433 Madison St.; City: Oakland; State: California; Postal Code: 94612

      Contact Information: 510-283-4518 or ziya.art.studio@gmail.com

Akong Rinpoche Foundation logo

In March 2015, the eldest son of the former Akong Tulku Rinpoché, Jigme Tarap requested Tashi Mannox to come up with a logo design for the newly formed Akong Rinpoché Foundation, set up to continue the noble work of the 2nd Akong Tulku, and aid support in Northern India, Nepal and the Tibetan homeland, especially Akong Rinpoché's seat monastery in Eastern Tibet, Kham called Dolma Lhakang. 

"Since my fathers sudden departure from this world, we his family, more than ever appreciate the work he has been doing to help others throughout his lifetime. 

It is through his selfless dedication to help others that we have set up the Akong Rinpoché Foundation" - Jigme Tarap.

Several different designs were created from which one was chosen and approved with the blessing of H.E. Kenting Situ Rinpoché.

As a close disciple of Akong Tulku, Tashi explains the logo designs below:

These designs are all quite simply based on Akong's name: ཨ་དཀོན་ which has a very deep meaning. His name will always be given through all of his incarnations, so it is very significant and long lasting, therefore applicable to his new incarnation too.

ཨ་is the root letter of the Tibetan alphabet, that also signifies primordial awareness that is essential to the Nyingma tradtion that he is a lineage holder.

དཀོན་ means sacred, dear, precious, which he is to us of course. within the spelling of this word is the latter ཀ་ which is the first letter of the Tibetan alphabet and the letter/symbol of the Kagyu tradition, that he is also a lineage holder, and even said to be an emanation of Karmapa which also uses the same letter ཀ་ in the essential spelling of Kagyu.

The dominant quality of Rinpoche was his strength, he was a pillar of strength and stability for all of his students, this is why I stacked the word Akong one unit below the other, it stands like a strong tower and nicely balanced that gives stability. I have also stylised these letters to look both strong yet elegant, which was also the qualities of Akong Rinpoche.

The different coloured letters also refer to his activity of body speech and mind of white red and blue, as shown in the final design at the top of this post.

Framed in a circle gives a classical perhaps contemporary feel.

Then we could add a canopy at the top, that denotes the importance and sacredness of the word Akong, this is perhaps more typical traditionally Tibetan, but then Rinpoché was very traditionally Tibetan.

The Akong Rinpoché Foundation can also be followed on Facebook.

Teaching in London Samye Dzong April 2015

Photographs by Nicolas Laborie

brush and ink

www.tashimannox.com

Appreciated in Lhasa.

Two good friends of Tashi recently got in touch with a surprising discovery, Joona Ripo and Matthew Linden during their winter study at Lhasa University, stumbled upon a typical Tibetan tea house on the Barkhor that surrounds the holy Jokhang temple in old Lhasa.

What caught their eye was a recognisable image above the entrance doorway, unexpected and out of context, yet at the same time comfortably at home, was a print of one of Tashi Mannox's art pieces "Kagyu Tiger". 

Being familiar with Tashi's work, they entered to find many more of his works covering the walls of the establishment. Astonished to find this 'voluntary exhibition', the owner was unaware of the artist and did not admit to how he acquired the prints, which where obviously lifted and printed from Tashi's website. 

When this news reached Tashi along with these photos from Matthew Linden, he remarked that it was an honour to have such an 'exhibition' not only in such a sacred place of great connection and blessing so near to the Jokhang, but more so, that the Tibetans themselves value his art and hang it as their own, what a huge compliment!

This last photo below in the tea room shows a group of young Tibetan lads all engaged with their cell phones. The iPhone is apparently the popular choice among Tibetans, mostly because it has an app for writing in the Tibetan language. 

Joona and Matt also commented that they often see Tibetans with a Tashi artwork used as their screen wall paper, as shown below.

See more astonishing photographs from Matthew Linden on his website here.

Learn Tibetan Calligraphy in Brussels

So popular was last years course of Tibetan calligraphy in Brussels, Tashi has been invited back for another intense weekend workshop starting with a public talk on Friday 20th February 2015.

Please follow the link to be sure to book your place here. 

photo from last years course 2014

photo from last years course 2014

  

Tibetan Calligraphy Retreat 2015

The majestic view of Hay Bluff from New Inn Brilley.

Tibetan Calligraphy Retreat with Tashi Mannox

14^th – 22^nd August 2015

-- Limited Spaces still available --

Tashi presents a unique opportunity to thoroughly learn the art of Tibetan handwriting in the conducive and beautiful border countryside of Wales.

During the eight-day calligraphy meditation retreat, Tashi will instruct how to properly construct the classical Uchen script, from the foundation of the alphabet through to the many subjoined letters, onto forming words and sentences in a coherent and beautiful formation. The remaining days of the course will focus on forming traditional mantras as well as seed syllables as a useful aid to Buddhist visualisation practices.

There will also be meditation instruction and daily sitting practice that will help calm and prime the mind for the optimum approach and application, which is considered at the core of learning and creativity.

For the more dedicated practitioner, this course provides a discipline that lays a firm foundation in the art of Tibetan calligraphy. Suitable for beginners as well as those who wish to improve their already acquired handwriting skills.

It would be helpful for first-timers to at least become familiar with the Tibetan alphabet before attending the course.

If this calligraphy retreat proves successful, it may become an annual event that focuses on one of the several different Tibetan script styles with each year. 

Location: The blessed abode of Karma Dechen Choling at New Inn Brilley is situated on the Welsh, Herefordshire border. Described as being ‘unique, authentic and a little bit quirky’ it has magnificent views across the Wye valley toward the majestic Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacon National Park, that evokes an ideally peaceful retreat atmosphere of clarity and focus.

Alastair Sawday B&B award winning New Inn at Brilley offers a variety of charming accommodation options to suite most needs, from camping, shared dormitories of 'Angels', 'Heaven and Earth' and the 'Self-catering suite' (though you will be catered for during the retreat) to the luxury of double bedrooms in the old Inn. Please see price tariff below. To choose the type of accommodation you would be most comfortable with, please look into the website of New Inn Brilley.

Please note that the Rising Sun and Wagon accommodation is not available in the calligraphy retreat package, all other accommodation types have been kindly offered at a 20% concession, making the course more affordable for all.

It may also be possible to book accommodation before and after the official course schedule, however costs will be at the regular prices as stated on the New Inn Brilley website.

There are also local B&B’s within a few minutes drive as well as many more in the near-by picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, see below for course fees for ‘Attending course from outside of New Inn’.

All-inclusive prices for whole 8-day course per person:

• One person in double room - £590.  booking deposit: £236 GBP
• Two people sharing same double - £480 each. booking deposit: £192 GBP each.
• Single in dormitory - £492. booking deposit: £197 GBP
• Camping - £346. booking deposit: £138 GBP
• Attending course from outside of New Inn - £299. booking deposit: £120 GBP

Meals and refreshments are included in the course fee. Please let known any special dietary requirements prior to your visit. Food will be vegetarian.

To book: Please contact Tashi by email contact@tashimannox.com to check availability and secure your place. Course capacity and accommodation is limited. A booking deposit of 40% is required as indicated above. Remaining paid within one months prior to arrival.

How to get there: By public transport, the nearest Local train station is Hereford with direct links from London Paddington. Across from Hereford station concourse is a local 39 bus, Brecon service*1 alight at Hay-on-Wye, taxi*2 ride of 8 minutes from Hay-on-Wye to New Inn at Brilley. Please follow the link for map and directions by car. 

What to bring: As the British weather is unpredictable, you may need clothing to suit cooler wet days to pleasant hot dry days, so flip flops and Wellington boots.

Please bring personal art materials, such as calligraphy pens*3, a straight rule, pencil, pencil-sharpener and eraser. Three to four A3 size pads preferably water-colour paper is advised, as working on a larger scale is better for learning and for best results.

3* Suggested pens can be a range of different size italic felt tip calligraphy pens, or more professional Pilot Parallel Pens in a range of different nib sizes, available on the Internet with ink cartridges.

1* 39 buss timetable: https://www.hayfestival.com/wales/downloads/39_010409.pdf

2*  Local Taxi: Mike 07881 726547 

Course Program:

Arrive by Friday evening or early Saturday morning before 10 am.

Saturday 15^th

8 am sitting meditation followed by breakfast between 8.30 and 9.30 am.

10 am Welcome and Introduction talk.

11.30 tea-break

11.50 calligraphy session.

1 – 2 pm lunch

2.30 calligraphy session

4 pm tea-break

4.20 pm Meditation explanation and practice.

7 pm supper and free time until bed.

Daily Schedule:

8 am sitting meditation followed by breakfast between 8.30 and 9.30 am.

10 am calligraphy session.

11.30 tea-break

11.50 calligraphy session.

1 – 2 pm lunch

2.30 calligraphy session

4 pm tea-break

4.20 pm meditation and calligraphy practice/talk.

7 pm supper and free time until bed.

Saturday 22nd

8 am sitting meditation followed by breakfast between 8.30 and 9.30 am.

10 am calligraphy practice.

11.30 tea-break

11.50 calligraphy practice.

1 – 2 pm lunch

2.30 conclusion talk

4 pm tea-break

4.20 pm meditation and free style calligraphy demonstration.

7 pm supper and free time until bed.

Sunday 23rd

8 am sitting meditation followed by breakfast between 8.30 and 10 am.

Depart New Inn Brilley before 12 noon.