A macabre, spectacular and thought-provoking survey of death in life of human remains used in decorative, commemorative or devotional contexts across the world today. Paul Koudounaris The Dead Among Us Paul Koudounaris 278 illustrations in colour and black and white 33.0 x 22.0cm 208pp + 8-page gatefold ISBN 978 0 500 517789 Hardback 38.00 March 2015 A4 Book
ContentS Introduction The Dead Will Rise Macabre Masterpieces of the Nineteenth Century The Gates of Paradise Bones and Salvation in the Christian Tradition They Walk Among Us Mysterious Burial Caves in Asia Blessed Souls Elaborate Ossuaries in the Catholic World They Shall Not Perish Memorials in Bone to Victims of Tragedy Remains to be Seen Mummies and Other Exquisite Corpses Crossing the Border The Living and the Dead in Bolivia Heavenly Glory Decorated Bones from around the world List of Illustrations, Acknowledgments, Index
press plan Paul Koudounaris has achieved media fame as Indiana Bones for his spectacular photographs. This will ensure coverage in the national press and general interest, photography and religious magazines, as well as thousands online.
about the author Paul Koudounaris is an author and photographer from Los Angeles, with a PhD in Art History. His publications and research on charnel houses and ossuaries have made him a wellknown figure in the field of macabre art and art history.
Praise for The Empire of Death and Heavenly Treasures `The most fascinating account of how our treatment of dead bodies has changed over time. It s illustrated with fabulous pictures of skeletons in every possible dress. A reflection on life as well as death Evening Standard `Death can be so beautiful. That s what comes over most powerfully in this cultural history of charnel houses lovingly produced by art historian Paul Koudounaris Time Out London `Death has never been more becoming than in Paul Koudounaris new book LOVE Magazine Online Fascinating... extraordinary AnOther Magazine A jaw-dropping collection of images and insights into ancient religious masterpieces Dazed & Confused Amazing The Guardian Suitable for goths, art historians and everyone in between... Incredible relics Book Depository Dead blingers The Sun Indiana Bones The Daily Mail A beautiful book... stunning images Tattoo Master Magazine Remarkable British Journal of Photography Morbidly fascinating... gruesomely dazzling The Jeweller Bling from the edges of eternity Annie Lennox The grinning, bejewelled catacomb saints who stare out from the pages of Koudounaris book challenge us to engage in deeper exercises, spiritual and intellectual; to recreate lost forms of devotional life; to understand how they inspired and deformed the study of the Christian past; and to imagine what it felt like to believe that the gauzewrapped skeleton in your church was a time lord, whose sight and touch could help to save your soul The London Review of Books
It is not known when bodies were first gilded, but the practice is now associated with esoteric and localized forms of veneration. Normally such treatment was reserved for monks but, in some cases, even important women might be gilded. Two recent examples are found in Taiwan. The golden corpse of Dexiu (opposite) is enshrined in a temple in Jilong, where Daoist and Buddhist practices are fused. Dexiu was a famed spirit medium, known to channel indigenous Taiwanese gods. She prophesied her own death in 1993, and gave instructions for her preservation so that she could continue to serve the local community. Gongga (above) was a nun from the Kagyu school, a Tibetan order of Buddhism, who was preserved and gilded when she died in Taipei in 1997. 147
148 Gilded bodies comprise only a minority of Buddhist mummies most are simply preserved as naked flesh and placed in temples as examples of exceptional faith. Luang Por Daeng (below) is preserved at Khun Arum temple on the Thai island of Koh Samui. He asked before his death in 1973 that if his body did not decay, it be put on display. His wish was granted and he has become immensely popular with tourists, due in no small part to his fashionable sunglasses. Daeng is not the only mummy on Koh Samui, however. The body of Luang Por Ruam (opposite) is enshrined at Wat Kiri Wongkaram, where he was a member of the monastic community until his death in 1966. His fingernails continue to grow to this day, and clippings are taken as charms.
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Ornate skulls known as kapala were traditionally produced in monasteries in Tibet, Nepal, and Northern India, where they were used as ritual vessels in both Hindu and Buddhist Tantra (opposite; pp.198 199). Topped by a hinged or removable cap, the skull itself is typically lined with a silver bowl, into which wine or dough cakes are placed. The kapala aid the user in attaining a transcendental state by transferring the knowledge and personality of the deceased. They also provide a reminder of the impermanence of life and the importance of avoiding sensual indulgence. Traditionally collected at sky burial sites where the bodies of the dead were dismembered and scattered over open ground the skulls were elaborately carved or decorated with precious metals and jewels, then anointed and consecrated. 197
Paul Koudounaris ISBN 978 0 500 517789 38.00 hb
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