SACRED SPACES
Through focusing on devotional activities in designated sites of worship 'what spaces are sacred to you?' is the question posed by the Rubin Museum in their current exhibition 'Sacred Spaces'.
In particular the exhibition presents three distinct but related environments shaped by acts of veneration. The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room provides an immersive experience inspired by a traditional shrine that would be used for offering, devotion, prayer, and contemplation. Art and ritual objects are presented as they would be in an elaborate private household shrine.
As atmospheric context for the shrine, visitors are transported to the Himalayas by gazing at a panoramic photograph taken in Mustang, Nepal, by Jaroslav Poncar. This impressive vista evokes the high mountainous landscape in which Tibetan Buddhism developed and still flourishes. According to Himalayan cultures, the landscape is animated and full of life and power. The forces of the ground, water, rocks, mountains, and trees all require acts of devotion to fend off dangers and invite blessings.
Visitors are also invited to contemplate a video installation created by (frequent Selvedge contributor) Deidi von Schaewen. The work documents a Jain communal ritual in which a massive stone sculpture is anointed every 12 years in Shravanabelgola, Karnataka, India. Devotees pour various offering substances over the figure during the course of four days. The 12 minute two-channel video installation of this sacred rite presents a mesmerising display of devotional acts such as ablutions, blessings, and prayers.
SACRED SPACES
WITH THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST SHRINE ROOM
Until 27 March 2017
Visitors are also invited to contemplate a video installation created by (frequent Selvedge contributor) Deidi von Schaewen. The work documents a Jain communal ritual in which a massive stone sculpture is anointed every 12 years in Shravanabelgola, Karnataka, India. Devotees pour various offering substances over the figure during the course of four days. The 12 minute two-channel video installation of this sacred rite presents a mesmerising display of devotional acts such as ablutions, blessings, and prayers.
SACRED SPACES
WITH THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST SHRINE ROOM
Until 27 March 2017