Exhibition: Sunday, February 25 – Sunday, May 27, 2018East-West Center Gallery, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

The East-West Center Arts Program presents

Bhutan: Gross National Happiness

Curators: Michael Schuster and Annie Reynolds

Consultants: John Wehrheim and Thinley Choden

Visiting artist monks: Lama Thinley, Kinley Penjor and Lopen Tenzin

Photographer: John Wehrheim

Installation Design: Lynne Najita

Coordinator: Eric Chang

Indo-Aryan­languages.­Beneath­the­towering­peaks­of­the­eastern­Himalayanmountains,­Bhutan­is­a­stabilizing­forcesupporting­Himalayan­Tantric­Buddhistculture.­Unlike­many­historic­Himalayankingdoms, Bhutan­was­never conqueredor­colonized.­The­country­is­blessedwith­peace,­prosperity,­and­an­ancientculture­still­alive­and­vibrant.­Bhutan’sfourth­monarch,­Jigme­SingyeWangchuck,­led­his­people­from

Sandwiched­between­the­powerful­nations­of­India­and­China,­Bhutan­isone­of­the­world’s­least­known­and­mostsparsely­populated­countries: only38,400­square­kilometers­(about­thesize­of­Switzerland),­with­a­populationof­800,000­scattered­across­fertile­valleys­that­dot­otherwise­untouchedforests.­The­Bhutanese­are­diverse,speaking­24­languages­and­more­than100­dialects­of­Tibeto-Burman­and

­absolute­monarchy­to­a­democracyguided­by­the­principle­that­Gross­National­Happiness­better­­measuressuccess­than­Gross­National­Product.The­fourth­king­rejected­the­conventionalmodel­of­global­development:­that moreis­better­and­growing­consumptionequals­success.­The­king­aimed­to­balance­the­country’s­economic­needswith­environmental­preservation­andtraditional­values,­founded­on­the

SSOMAN DRUGYEL LET'S LOOSE HIS ARROW, TASHI THONGMEN DZONG, DASA, 2004, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

Abundant­water­and­hydropower­resources­serve­a­population­of­20­people­per­square­kilometer.­Bhutan’slight­footprint­and­unspoiled­naturemakes­it­a­land­of­vibrant­beauty.­Bhutanis­the­only­carbon­negative­country­inthe­world­and­sustainability­is­part­of­its­national­identity.­The­­constitution­mandates­that­60%­of­its­land­mass­be­maintained­and­protected­forests.­

­Buddhist­principles­that­all­life­is­sacredand­all­living­beings­are­interdependent.The­Four­Pillars­of­Gross­National­Happiness­are:­Environmental­Preservation,­Preserving­and­PromotingCulture,­Good­Governance,­and­Balanced­Economic­Development.­­­­­­­To­romanticize­Bhutan­as­an­other-worldly­kingdom­isolated­in­the­Himalayaswould­do­the­Bhutanese­a­great­disservice,­trivializing­the­very­real­challenges,­internal­and­external,­thatthreaten­their­future.­Modern­Bhutanoffers a­practical­and­powerful­gift —­afocus­on­happiness­and­sustainability­—to a­world­dominated­by­over-consump-tion­and­environmental­destruction.­­­­­­­Exhibition­photographs­feature­people­in­everyday­life, taken­between1991-2006­in­western­and­centralBhutan.­From­the­snow­peaks­of­Lunanaand­the­rice­paddies­of­Punakha­to­the­nightclubs­of­Thimphu,­this­area­represents­Bhutan’s­great­diversity­of­culture,­climate,­terrain,­and­people.The­exhibition­also includes­textiles,Buddhist­ritual­items,­and­utilitarian­objects. ­­­­­­­The­exhibition­features­a­traditionalmandala­made­of­sand­and­created­onsite­by­visiting­Bhutanese­Buddhistmonks.­

In­addition,­one­of­the­ways­that­Bhutan­protects­the­environment­is­throughcontrolled,­low­impact­tourism.­Bhutan’sstrict­­environmental­­regulations­protectits­pristine­nature.­For­instance,­all­ofthe­hydroelectric­­facilities­must­be­hidden­in­the­interior­of­the­mountainsin­order­not­to­disturb­the­spirits­anddestroy­the­landscape­views.

LAYA SCHOOL, LAYA, 2005, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

GASA FOREST, 2005, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

Environmental Preservation

The­economy­of Bhutan­is­based­on­agriculture­and­forestry,­which­provideslivelihood­for­more­than­60%­of­the­population.­Agriculture­consists­largelyof subsistence­farming and animal­husbandry.­Rugged­mountains­dominatethe­terrain­and­make­the­building­ofroads­and­other­infrastructure­difficultand­expensive.­In­1962­Bhutan­completedits­first­motor­road­and­a­policy­of­development­began.­The­economy­isclosely­aligned­with­India­through­strongtrade­and­monetary­links­and­Bhutan­isdependent­on­India’s­financial­assistance.

Bhutan­is­attempting­to­develop­more­sustainable­agriculture­through­diversifying­crops­and­very­cautiouslydeveloping­its­tourism­sector­by­limitingtourism­to­a­high­value­market.­This­isolated­nation­only­opened­to­foreignvisits­in­1974­and­allowed­TVs­in­1999.Thimpu­is­the­capital­city­in­Bhutan­that­now­experiences­rush­hour­traffic,­however,­it­is­the­only­capital­in­Asia­without­traffic­lights.­At­one­time­a­­trafficlight­was­introduced­but­the­citizens­preferred­to­have­the­police­guide­trafficand­so­the­light­was­dismantled.

THE PRESENT-DAY KING WHEN HE WAS CROWN PRINCE AND CHILD MONK, TRONGSA DZONG, 2004, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

THIMPHU COMMERCIAL DISTRICT 9:00 SUNDAY MORNING, THIMPHU, 2005, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

ATSARA, THE DIVINE JESTER, JAKAR DZONG, 2004, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM

Balanced Economic Development

Good GovernanceBoth­the­health­facilities­in­Bhutan­andeducation­up­to­high­school­are­free.Advanced­education­is­free,­for­thosewho­choose­to­continue.­The­governmentis­responsible­for­the­development­ofbasic­infrastructure,­the­supply­of­cleandrinking­water,­the­allotment­of­free­timber­to­build­houses,­and­grantingland­to­enhance­the­welfare­of­the­citizens.These­provisions­are­enshrined­inBhutan’s­constitution­and­guided­by­theconcept­that­the­monarchy’s­role­is­toensure­the­wellbeing­of­the­Bhutanese.The­goals­of­Gross­National­Happinesswere­further­realized­by­changing­thepolitical­system­from­a­monarchy­to­aparliamentary­democracy­despite­thewishes­of­many­of­its­citizens.­In­March2008,­Bhutan­held­its­first­parliamentaryelections,­shifting­away­from­a­century-old­absolute­monarchy.

Preserving and Promoting CultureBhutan­is­a­center­of­Himalayan­TantricBuddhist­culture­with­nearly­75%­of­the­population­practicing.­UniquelyBhutanese­Buddhism­combinesbon (local­animistic­tradition)­worshipwith­Tantric­Buddhism.­Even­thoughthere­is­no­state­religion­and­religiousfreedom­is­enshrined­in­the­constitution,­Buddhism­underpins­many­aspects­ofBhutanese­culture.­There­are­funds­provided­by­the­government­to­sustainand­encourage­cultural­traditions.Archery­is­the­national­sport­and­thereare­regular­contests­and­clubs.­Manymen­and­women­still­wear­traditionaldress­and­it­is­encouraged,­particularlyin­government­offices.­Weaving­traditionsare­highly­developed­in­Bhutan­and­areused­to­signify­gender,­status,­and­regional­identity.

Printed­with­soy­based­inks­on­recycled­paper

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the peopleand nations of the United States, Asia, and thePacific through cooperative study, research, anddialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960,the Center serves as a resource for informationand analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchangeviews, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public,nonprofit organization with funding from the U.S.government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.

The East-West Center Arts Program fornearly 40 years has enriched the communitythrough concerts, exhibitions, and communityengagement focused on arts of the Asia Pacificregion, and by arranging cultural and educationalprograms by artists who are skilled in bridgingcultures.

EWC Arts Team: Karen Knudsen, director, Office of External Affairs; Eric Chang, arts program coordinator; Michael Schuster, Ph.D.,curator; Annie Reynolds, arts program assistant;William Feltz, adjunct arts specialist; June Kuramoto, program officer; Gary Yoshida, development officer; Jennifer Leger, develop-ment assistant; Hunter Kaye, student assistant

Mahalo: John Wehrheim, JoAnn Yukimura,Thinley Choden, Frank Hay, Lama Tempa, KagyuThegchen Ling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, Meril Fujiki, Wangchuk Rabten, Sara Oka,Pauline Sugino, Honolulu Museum of Art, NancyE. Hulbirt, Brooks G. Bays Jr., UHM SOEST, LynneNajita, Kennedy & Preiss Graphic Design, LeilaniNg, Colorprints Inc., Shayne Hasegawa, DerekFerrar, Phyllis Tabusa, Lucy Kamealoha, DeannaO’Brien, Melanie Keller, Tina Tom, Patsy Hiraoka,Marie Ebesu, Reynold Balintec, EWC FacilitiesManagement

East-West Center GalleryJohn A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road(corner Dole St. & East-West Rd.)

Gallery admission is free. Hours: Open Weekdays 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sundays Noon–4:00 p.m.Closed Saturdays, and April 1.

Parking on the UH-Mānoa campus is normally free and ample on Sundays.

Free school & group tours available.

For further information: 944-7177arts@EastWestCenter.orghttp://arts.EastWestCenter.org

Find us on Facebook and Instagram: EWC_arts

Sunday, February 25, 2:00–3:30 p.m.Exhibition Gala Opening including­reception,­ritual­for­the­initiation­of­thesand­mandala,­and­walkthrough­by­exhibition­photographer,­John­Wehrheim.

Sunday, March 4, 2:00–3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Women in Bhutan: Past,Present and Future” by­EWC­alumna­Thinley­Choden,­Social­Entrepreneur,­andDevelopment­Consultant/Specialist.

Sunday, March 18, 2:00–3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Measuring What Matters –GNH & Other Innovative Economic Indicators in Bhutan and Beyond” byEWC­alumnus­Carl­Polley,­PhD,­Instructor,Kapi‘olani­Community­College.

Sunday, April 8, 2:00–3:30 p.m. Film:­“Happy” Everything­you­know­about­happiness­is­wrong.­Just­ask­the­world’s­scientists,­surfers,­and­rickshaw­drivers.­Directed­by­Roko­Belic,­2011,­75­minutes.

Special Events | In the EWC Gallery with free admission Guided gallery tours will be offered Sundays at 3:00 p.m. (no tours April 8 and May 27)

Sunday, April 15, 2:00–3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Music in Bhutan: Himalayan Connections” by­Anna­Stirr,PhD,­Associate­Professor­of­Asian­Studies,University­of­Hawai‘i­at­Mānoa.­

Sunday, April 29, 2:00–3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Bhutan: Economy, Culture, and Gross National Happiness”by­two­current­EWC­degree­fellows­fromBhutan,­Mindu­Lham­and­Dechen­Wangmo.

Sunday, May 6, 2:00–3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Bhutan and the Buddhist Concept of Happiness”by­John­Wehrheim,­Writer,­Photographer,Film­Producer.

Sunday, May 27, 2:00–4:00 p.m.Film:­“Travellers and Magicians” Boredwith­life­in­his­tiny­village,­a­Bhutanese­official­infatuated­with­American­culture,dreams­of­­visiting­the­U.S.­Directed­byDzongsar­Jamyang­Khyentse­Rinpoche,2003,­108­minutes.

Sand MandalaThe exhibition features a traditional sandmandala that is created on site during the first week of the exhibition by visitingBhutanese monks. A sand mandala is a visual representation of the Himalayan Buddhist cosmos.

The creation of the mandala can be viewed on weekdays: Monday, February 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.andTuesday, February 27 – Friday, March 2, 2018,10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The EWC Arts Program is supported in part byAqua-Aston Hospitality, The Hawai‘i Pacific RimSociety, Friends of Hawai‘i Charities, Barbara B.Smith, Richard H. Cox, Jean E. Rolles, EWC Arts‘Ohana members, Jackie Chan Foundation USA,The Arthur Goodfriend Intercultural Fund, andother generous donors.

KARMA AND BABY TENZIE, GASA HOT SPRINGS, 2004, PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN WEHRHEIM