Section of a Buddhist Sutra 14th-16th century

Curator: Editor: Here we have a "Section of a Buddhist Sutra" traditionally attributed to Kim Saeng. The texture of the paper is lovely. What can we learn from its materiality? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating the paper, preparing the ink, and the disciplined brushstrokes. How does the act of production shape our understanding of the text itself? Editor: So, the physical creation is as important as the words? Curator: Precisely! The materials and their manipulation connect us to the social context and the artist's process of making, challenging our ideas of art as separate from craft. Editor: I never thought of it that way! Curator: Examining the materials helps us see the sutra not just as a religious text, but as a product of skilled labor and cultural values.