Roaming Objects

This book overturns the truism that people carry objects to places. Instead, it asks how objects transport people-physically, imaginatively, and emotionally-to spaces and worlds beyond their immediate reach. It explores artworks as maps of imagined journeys or as worlds inviting inner exploration, grounded in 'deep travel' or psychogeography. Centered on Shanxi, China-a cultural crossroads known as West of Mountains-the book examines pivotal works that model these journeys. Highlights include China's "Stonehenge" tracking solar movements, Zoroastrian-themed sarcophagi, tomb murals depicting afterlife journeys, and Buddhist scrolls for water-land rituals. Lavishly illustrated, the volume combines essays on interconnected themes with close analyses of individual pieces, offering a rich narrative on how art shapes profound spatial and imaginative experiences. AUTHOR: Eugene Wang is the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Professor of Asian Art at Harvard University, where he holds appointments in History of Art and Architecture, Theater, Dance, and Media, Study of Religion, and Inner Asia and Altaic Studies. A Guggenheim Fellow, he is the award-winning author of Shaping the Lotus Sutra: Buddhist Visual Culture in Medieval China and the art history editor of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism. As the founding director of Harvard CAMLab (Cognition, Aesthetics, and Multimedia Lab), he pioneers innovative approaches to transforming academic knowledge into immersive sensorial experiences. SELLING POINTS: . A New Perspective on Art: Discover how artworks transport us beyond physical spaces, stirring imagination and emotion in ways that redefine their purpose . Shanxi's Hidden Treasures: Explore rare and historic artworks from Shanxi, a cultural crossroads rich in ancient significance . Iconic Masterpieces: Featuring China's "Stonehenge," Zoroastrian sarcophagi, and captivating tomb murals, and many more . Stunning Visuals: Lavishly illustrated with breathtaking images, offering both a visual feast and scholarly insight . Insightful Essays & Detailed Analyses: Thought-provoking essays and in-depth examinations provide a comprehensive look at each piece