My Work

Name of artefact: Lintel with Yama riding on buffalo

Material: Sandstone

Country: Cambodia

Date: 12^th or 13^th Century

Analysis

The lintel produces symmetrical properties reflected on each side. The designs are intricately carved out with detailed precision across the lintel. In the centre of the entire piece, there is a figure with a crown who appears to be riding on a buffalo. This suggests that the figure is the main subject of the entire piece and that its an important character.

Upon further reading, I’ve discovered that the figure is Yama, the guardian of the south and the god of death, and his mount is a water buffalo. This lintel also originated from Cambodia and could suggests that it was probably placed facing the south entrance of a Khmer temple. This indicates that there could also possibly be three other lintels with the gods from each direction placed at their respective entrances. Also in the centre, there are two lion heads emerging out of what appears to be a fierce beast, which then spits out what looks like floral garlands. Upon further research, it is distinguished that the lion heads signify bravery in Hinduism and Buddhism.

There could possibly be two different functions of this lintel. Firstly, it could function as a tool to educate the worshippers entering the temple through visual means, and secondly, to scare away unwanted visitors with fierce imagery who might not be familiar with the religion.

(248 words)

Brief

We were tasked to select a subject/topic and express it in 18 different points of view.

I wanted to use something simple, either an everyday object or a topic that we disregard often or something we tend to overlook as we lead our daily lives.

Objects/topics that I considered:

A piece of bread
A cardboard box
A piece of wood
Fridge
Relief
Comfort
Freedom
Light

A piece of bread

A piece of bread from the point of view of me is comfort food
An oven/toaster from the point of view of a piece of bread is a tanning salon
A piece of bread from the point of view of a baker is a masterpiece
A dough from the point of view of a piece of bread is family

Cardboard

A cardboard box from a point of view of a cat is a comfortable resting place.
A cardboard box from a point of view of a sneakerhead is a fresh pair of kicks
A cardboard box from a point of view of a child is a playspace
A cardboard box from a point of view of a homeless man is a night’s stay
A cardboard box from a point of view of a cardboard collector is livelihood
A cardboard box from a point of view of an art student is a masterpiece
A cardboard box from a point of view of a techie is a 21st century invention
A cardboard box from a point of view of a postman is responsibility
A cardboard box from a point of view of a retrenched man is disappointment
A cardboard box from a point of view of a warehouse is a piece of a puzzle

Fridge

The fridge from a point of view of a sweaty man is temporary bliss
The fridge from a point of view of a midnight snacker is a guilty pleasure
The fridge from a point of view of a murderer is an accomplice
The fridge from a point of view of a hotel guest is indulgement
The fridge from a point of view 0f time is paying the bills

Light

Light from the point of view of ‘late-worker’ is guidance/a way home (Street Lamp)
Light from the point of view of a timid child is comfort (night light)
Light from the point of view of a party animal is a future hangover/night of impulse
Light from a point of view of a student is burning the midnight oil (Desk Lamp)
Light from a point of view of a beach bum is a pursuit of beauty (sun)
Light from the point of view of (phone)
Light from the point of view of a minimart is paying the bills

Comfort / Relief

comfort

ˈkʌmfət/

noun

a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.

“there is room for four people to travel in comfort”
the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress.

“a few words of comfort”
- Comfort from the point of view of a warm summer is an ice cream
- Comfort from the point of view of a backpacker is a night’s stay
- Comfort from the point of view of an eskimo is a cup of hot chocolate
- Comfort from the point of view of a marathon runner is an ice pack
- Comfort from the point of view of a cat is a cardboard box
- Comfort from the point of view of a jeep is a dirt road
- Comfort from the point of view of a beach bum is the sound of the waves
- Comfort from the point of view of voyager is reaching the shore
- Comfort from the point of view of an OCD person is a neatly arranged shelf
- Comfort from the point of view of a horse is a grassy plains
- Comfort from the point of view a diver is going into the deep ocean
- Comfort from the point of view of an artist is a brush/canvas
- Comfort from the point of view of a soldier is a homecooked meal
- Comfort from the point of view of an adventurer is the outdoors
- Comfort from the point of view of a child is attention
- Comfort from the point of view a homeless man is a good shower
- Comfort from the point of view of a bookworm is a library
- Comfort from the point of view of a bear is a fresh catch
- Comfort from the point of view of a photographer is the click of the shutter
- Comfort from the point of view of a daydreamer is a quiet space
- Comfort from the point of view of a writer is a pen