Abstractly .

" A R C H I - T E C - T U R E . "

What is Architecture ?

 For me , i think it is a very subjective question . Different people have different point of view . A short question , but it can be answer and elaborate in thousands of word depending on one's perspective . But i found out a bit funny when others , starts to think architecture is just about 'drawings' and 'buildings' .

There's few times that i experienced this kind of conversation :

Friend : Eh , kau belajar apa ?

Me : Architecture :)

Friend : Ooo , mesti banyak lukis lukis bangunan je kan .

Me : -_____-"

*betul tak Abdul Qayyum ? Haha .

In my opinion , Experience in Architecture is very important . A person can only defines the real architecture based on experience . And of course , like many others said , " Architecture Defines You " and i am totally agree with that .  So as for me , after experiencing a 4semester as an architecture student , i have learned a little bit of what architecture . And hope to seek more in the many years to come . Insyaallah :)

What do i think about Architecture is , its definitely not just a building , drawings , plans . Its absolutely more than that . What i think is that , it is about a person experiencing the spaces that surrounding him/her . Its the mood created by the spaces , the experienced of a person walking from space to space is that matter . The functions , and the forms that suit the environment . Not only that , the color , texture , the lights , materials also matters . 

A building that has great architecture should be only where it should be . What i mean is , imagine if the Eiffel tower is in Africa or in Brazil it is still gonna be famous like it is now . But the thought that it can actually be anywhere in the world , or let say , Suria Twin Tower were placed in Russia . It is definitely not right . What I'm trying to say is , the culture , the history , the lifestyle , the climate , the people , the music , the nature , the philosophy , the art , the soul of the surrounding which makes the Architecture in a particular place is special and unique .

What is the feeling of walking in the streets in Prague , In Alhambra , In Istanbul , In London , Paris , New York , Tokyo , Beijing , Bangkok , Kuala Lumpur . Each place have their own culture and identity . Architecture is absolutely have its own background . Where the DESIGN PROCESS that take place is very very important . Which i remembered what cik Amran said " The design process is the main important thing , whether the design is beautiful or not that comes later " . Not exactly , but something like that . Hehe . But , If the design process is excellent , of course the product of the design would be excellent too . Am i right ? :) 

And i think that , we as an architecture should always find ways to travel around and see and observe things . " Jangan Pakai Spec OM " haha . I know money is going to be  the problem since we are still studying and have no income , but why not start from your own hometown . and then around Malaysia ." Chaaay cakap je lebih " hehe . Tapi , cuba imagine , the whole studio pegi Rome , Florence , Venice , Beijing ke . Mesti best gila kan ?! :D 

Anywaayy , in Architecure there is definitely no shortcut . Even the Great Architects have go through the process . Like people always said " You cant rush arts " . Have to do it with the feelings , the soul . No wonder cik Ros selalu cakap . " Kamu punya kerja ni takde soul lah . Minat ke tak  minat ? " Haha . Not only all of those things , absolutely creativity and critical thinking plays an important role in the field . The creativity in using the design principles and elements . The capability to twist and turn the original idea . The capability of design something out of the box but it is still rationally , relevant and still can be done . That what makes Zaha hadid , Peter Einsenman , Frank Gehry and those other Architects are great . Ohh , if you guys have the chance check out Peter Eisenman - The city of culture . Tgk how does the designing process of  the complex , where did the idea came from . Best best ;)

" Architecture lives within you " is absolutely true . You cant run from architecture , whether you are a fisherman , a barber , a dancer , a lawyer , a burger man , a king , or anyone you are . Everybody experience architecture , its just that whether they realise or the they dont . I hope it doesnt stop here . Hope to understand more about Architecture . because i wanna feel what is need to be feel . Haha :D

* Anyway , i heard that next year there's gonna be An Architectural Expo in Korea " EXPO 2012 Yeosu , Korea " . Jom kumpul duit and pegi ramai ramai nak ? :D For real .

Bersih 2.0 .

Its been 3 days after the rally happened and i am still reading about BersihStories . Looking at Malaysia now , i feel proud because for good or bad , we are at last growing together as a nation :')  well done people . Finally malays , chinese , indians and other races are helping out together for the same cause . This is trully 1 Malaysia .

I seriously dont understand , why the government have to be so scared about people voicing out their rights , their opinions . I thought Malaysia is Democratic country ? So where is the democracy if we people cant voice out our thoughts . Its like they're scared of something . Why do they have to make the rally illegal ? Okay , because the gov. does not want to have any havoc in the country to take place . fair enough . But why cant we walk in peace ? Let us walk together , if we attempt to cause havoc , then the police have the right to use the power . What we see that the police are the one causing the havoc in the rally . Beating up the people just because they want Malaysia to be clean and free from corruption ? Oh come on . He even said " there is no physical contact between the police and the protestors " Hahaha , is that a joke ? Cant Say much . People are not blind . Why are they still covering up the stories ?

Too much of drama .

We are in the generation , where people can think and decide what is the best for the country . So , free your mind , think and decide for the better future of  Malaysia . Its all very clear now . The people are the government and it should be that way . Negaraku Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku :)

TRIANGGA .

   Tri angga means " three parts " which is high , middle , and low .

     The 3 parts can be represented in the human body , building structures , town planning and the environment . Tri angga are practice by Balinese . * for me triangga is the concept in life which can be practice in various of scope . 

  

 The Tri Angga of Bali as whole place are divided into :

• The high - sacred mountains which form a ridge from east to west through the center of the island .
• The middle - is where most of the Balinese live ( the land ) .
• The low -  is the sea .

   Tri Angga also can be represent as :

• UTAMA -Things that are high or above . ie - Mountains , heaven , ancestor , roof , head . * All that pure and sacred .

•  MADYA - Middle ground ; ie : Body , the land where people lives  .

• Nista - Things are low & below ; ie : sea , hell & the deads . * impure & profane .

     

    This concept are similar to Buddhist principles . This is because in Bali it is high influence from Buddhism .

Borobudur .

 CANDI BOROBUDUR , CENTRAL JAVA , INDONESIA .


Borobudur is Buddhist temple that was built on a hill . The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha. It is the biggest temple in the world :O . Borobudur was built between the 760 to 825 AD . But was abandon during the conversion of religion for most Indonesian which is to Islam .


  Borobudur is made up of 9 platforms is consits 6square platform below , and 3 circular platforms on the upper side . These platforms are divided into 3 sections :

• The base are called Kamadhatu ( the world of Desires )
• The five platforms square are called Rupadhatu ( the world of Forms )
• The 3 circular platforms are called Arupadhatu ( the world of Formless )

 Khamadhatu represents the base , also represents the normal life of humans which full of desires in their life . Where as , Rupadhatu represents the body of the Candi . And Arupadhatu represents the holiest section of the candi . These sections or level are purposely made to show the different steps in the process of finding the truth .

  The form or layout of Candi Borobudur are from the Buddhist mandala *refer to  the previous post . 

     

Borobudur consists of 72 numbers of Stupa and one large Stupa . The Stupa(s) are bell in shape which represents the body of the Buddha . These 72 stupas are located on the 3 circular platforms which encircled the one large stupa .

• There are 32 stupas on the first circular platform .
• 24 stupas on the second circular platform 
• 16 Stupas on the third circular platform .

Inside of each 72 stupas consist of a Buddha statue . The stupas are made from perforated stones ( pierced by numerous openings ) . The Stupas that are on the first and second circular platform have diamond openings shape . But , for third platform the stupas have square opening shape . * Still wondering what is the symbol and purposes . 

The top most stupa , which the great stupa ; it is crowned by an octagonal pinnacle . It has no opening . The simplicity of its form contrats with the richness of the relief that are located in the platforms below .

The Buddha statues seems to be the seem if you look at first glance . The statues are different in their hand position which represents various states of meditation .

Borobudur contains individual bas reliefs which cover the facades and balustrades . The Narrative panels , are grouped into 11 series encircled the monument .

The base or Kamadhatu contains the first series with 160 narrative panels and the remaining 10 series are distributed throughout walls and balustrades in four galleries starting from the eastern entrance stairway to the left .

The bas reliefs on the wall are read from right to left . while on the balustrade it is read from left to right . This conforms with pradaksina ( ritual of circumambulation ) performed by the pilgrims who move in a clockwise direction .

                                                                               buddhist monks performing the ritual .

 I think thats it . Who wants to go to Borobudur ?! Lets plan a trip to Indon ! :D

Mandala - Sacred Geometry & Arts .

MANDALA 

What is Mandala ?

 A : Is a Geometric designs intended to symbolize the universe .

The word mandala itself is derived from the root manda , which means essence . As an image , a mandala may symbolize both the mind and the body of the Buddha . 

  Mandalas consist of an outer circular mandala and an inner square (or sometimes circular) mandala with an ornately decorated mandala palace placed at the center .

 In Buddhism the principle in the mandala is the presence of the Buddha in it , but images of deities are not necessary. They may be presented either as a wheel, a tree, or a jewel, or in any other symbolic manifestation.

EXAMPLE OF MANDALA WITH A DEITY

         Generally the central deity may be : 

- Peaceful Deity 

- Wrathful Deity

- Sexual Imagery Deity

                                        Peaceful Deities .

 Peaceful Deities :

     Peaceful deity symbolizes its own particular existential and spiritual approach. 

For example ; 

  The image of Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara symbolizes compassion as the central focus of the spiritual experience; 

 Manjushri takes wisdom as the central focus ;

 Vajrapani emphasizes the need for courage and strength in the quest for sacred knowledge .

                                         

                                                                                                                                                           Wrathful Deities

Wrathful Deities :

Wrathful deities suggest the mighty struggle involved in overcoming one's alienation. 

They embody all the inner afflictions which darken our thoughts , our words , and our deeds and which prohibit attainment of the Buddhist goal of full enlightenment. Traditionally, wrathful deities are understood to be aspects of benevolent principles, fearful only to those who perceive them as alien forces. When recognized as aspects of one's self and tamed by spiritual practice, they assume a purely benevolent guise.

                              Sexual Imagery

Sexual Imagery :

Wrathful deities suggest the mighty struggle involved in overcoming one's alienation. They embody all the inner afflictions which darken our thoughts, our words, and our deeds and which prohibit attainment of the Buddhist goal of full enlightenment. Traditionally, wrathful deities are understood to be aspects of benevolent principles, fearful only to those who perceive them as alien forces. When recognized as aspects of one's self and tamed by spiritual practice, they assume a purely benevolent guise.

  COLOURS OF MANDALA :

• White - Vairocana: The delusion of ignorance becomes the wisdom of reality.
• Yellow - Ratnasambhava: The delusion of pride becomes the wisdom of sameness.
• Red - Amitabha: The delusion of attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment.
• Green - Amoghasiddhi: The delusion of jealousy becomes the wisdom of accomplishment.
• Blue - Akshobhya: The delusion of anger becomes the mirror like wisdom.

 In the context of the Buddhist path the purpose of a mandala is to put an end to human suffering, to attain enlightenment and to attain a correct view of Reality. 

There are many more functions of Mandala ; Anyone care to share ? :)

Wat .

Wat Arun , Bangkok

What is wat ? :|


Wat simply means temple in the region of Cambodia , Thailand and Laos . In language of Khemer & Thai sometimes it refers of school . Which gives the meaning of a place for people to learn about religion and ofcourse a place to worship the gods .


Usually , Wat is a sacred place where the image or the statue of buddha were place . These places will be the place where you can find monks because , this is the place where they live . Ofcourse their living space and the sacred space will be isolated .


There are many types of Wat , Varies in form and space . But the common characteristic of Buddhist Wat are that :

• They usually have conical or bell shape buidlings which normally known as stupa . This building usually contains the relics of Buddha
• Meeting & Prayer room
• a usually open square building with four arches and a pyramidal roof ; used to worship religious texts or objects .
• pavilion for relaxation or miscellaneous activities
• library " where Buddhist scriptures are kept "

The most common Wat that obviously everybody knows ;

ANGKOR WAT .

  Angkor Wat  ;

Angkor Wat , Located In Angkor , Cambodia . 

 

   It is built as A Royal Temple , dedicated to Hindu Deity . Built under the ruling of King Suryavarman II . Some say that Angkor Wat was built as temple purposes since its architecture " space planning " points to temple . But because of its entrance is from the west , that it was built as a tomb . 

  Angkor Wat occupies a rectangular area about 500 acres & it is surrounded by a Moat (river / canal) . It is 213 feet tall , :O . Achieved by the 5 central towers standing on 3 layer of rectangular platforms.

Angkor Wat went through many religion beliefs .

Hindu God Shiva  >> Hindu God Shiva >> Mahayana Buddhist Deity .

Its Architecture :

 It is Heavily Influence By Indian Ideas . & as the symbol of Universe .

   The city was built around a central temple on a hill . Symbol as Mount Meru , The Home of Gods.

 The 5 Central tower of each temple represent the five peaks of the Mount Meru .

   The outer wall represents the mountains that believed to encircle cosmos .

The Huuuuuuuge Moats , have to 2 purposes :

        One , as symbols of the outer ocean of the universe

        Two , is to improved water control over the everyday usage & agriculture purposes.

 Characters Of Angkor Wat : 

 It have 3 level of platform which supports the five towers ( 4 at the corners & 1 in the middle ) . Each platform is progressively smaller and higher than the one below . The ingenious plan allows a view of all five towers only from certain angles . The overall profile imitates a lotus bud .

    Angkor wat temple is most famous for its Bas-reliefs . The bas-reliefs surround the first level of the temple . It covers the innermost wall of the first level on all four sides . The magnificent sandstone carvings points the rich heritage of the Khmer civilization .

Ok , thats it . I mean for now :) 

p/s : Hope to visit Angkor Wat . One day :))