Fiercely Modern
April 26, 2013 - September 16, 2013
Naga describes a group of culturally and linguistically linked, but distinct tribes living on the border between India and Burma. Because the Naga had the reputation for being fearsome headhunters, they were somewhat isolated and evolved a distinctive material culture. They produce decorative ornaments, expressive wood carvings, and vividly colored textiles. The exhibition, from the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, will include examples from one of the largest and most important collections in the world.
Flip Side
March 15, 2013 - August 12, 2013
The texts and images on the back of Tibetan art objects reveal clues to their meaning, function, and historical context. For the first time ever both sides of a select group of scroll paintings (thangkas), sculptures, and initiation cards will be explored in detail. Chosen for the beauty, exceptional content, and complexity of their backs, these works of art dating from the 13th to the 19th century illuminate the many uses of the other side in Tibetan culture.
Living Shrines of Uyghur China
February 8, 2013 - July 8, 2013
This exhibition features photographs of sacred landscapes in northwestern China by New York-based artist Lisa Ross. In and around the Taklamakan Desert, Ross photographs Muslim shrines, or mazars, often adorned with recycled flags and fabrics. Ross’s remarkable images are largely without the presence of the human figure, allowing the viewer to inhabit a space that is unmediated and complex.
Masterworks
February 6, 2013 - January 13, 2014
Masterworks: Jewels of the Collection showcases the best of Himalayan art in the Rubin Museum's collection in their international context. This new presentation provides access to old favorites and new acquisitions and gifts. Organized geographically, it sets the diverse regional traditions of western Tibet, central Tibet, eastern Tibet, and Bhutan in relation to the neighboring areas of India, Kashmir, Nepal, China, and Mongolia.
Gateway to Himalayan Art
July 23, 2010 - January 6, 2014
Gateway to Himalayan Art acquaints visitors with the principal concepts of Himalayan art and its cultural contexts. A large multimedia map orients visitors to the geographic scope and diversity of the greater Himalayan cultural sphere, including parts of India, China, and Mongolia. Visitors are invited to explore four main sections: Figures and Symbols, Materials and Techniques, Purpose and Function, and Tibetan Art in Context, which includes the Rubin Museum’s Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room.
