Anyone interested in the arts of ancient Cambodia, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar) and Vietnam should run to see "Passion for Form: Selections of Southeast Asian Art From the MacLean Collection" at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (the traveling exhibit completes its run on Sunday, Sept. 23).

Boasting 53 ancient artifacts, the exhibit showcases the myriad shapes, forms and patterns distinct to Southeast Asian art.

Entering the exhibit, you first encounter vessels discovered in 1974 at a prehistoric cemetery in Ban Chiang, Thailand. Selected to represent all artifacts found in the area, the Ban Chiang group is divided into three major periods: early (3,000-900 B.C.), middle (1,100-200 B.C.) and late (300 B.C.-A.D. 300).

The earthenware from all three periods employs bold curvilinear designs, the earliest being more tedious. The later designs are freer, more modern looking, which makes for visually fascinating receptacles.

Exhibit information states that the bronzes in the show are difficult for scholars to date and assign methods of manufacturing. However, most believe the artisans used the lost wax technology employed by other artists throughout the region.

The most spectacular examples of bronze casting are the bells and drums. You desperately want to pound or clang these ancient instruments to hear what type of sound would be produced. (Alas, Plexiglas protects everything.)

One of the more interesting aspects of the exhibit is reading about and witnessing how — during the Middle Period — vessels were broken over the dead during interment. The museum's explanation of this curious ritual will help keep visitors involved in the show.

Most of the imagery in "Passion for Form" seems familiar at first, but this is certainly due to cross-cultural influence that obviously occurred throughout the years. Nevertheless, the exhibit is fresh, excellent, beautifully installed and easy to navigate.

See it before it closes.

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If you go . . .

What: "Passion for Form: Selections of Southeast Asian Art From the MacLean Collection"

Where: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Drive, University of Utah

When: Through Sept. 23

Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Monday

How much: General admission, $4; seniors and youths (ages 6-18), $2; children under 6, free

Phone: 581-7332

Web: www.umfa.utah.edu

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com