Art in Context

Art in Context courses offer a way to explore Himalayan art more deeply. Using the museum's collection as a central point of reference, courses introduce the religion, culture, and art making-practices of the Himalayan region through deep looking, class discussion, and instructor expertise.

Buddhism and Art: Bridging Philosophy and Visual Culture

Wednesdays: February 6-27
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

During this four-part course, participants will learn about the foundations of Buddhism by looking at major figures and icons that appear in Buddhist art. Each session begins with a gallery experience in the Rubin Museum and then a lecture/discussion in the Education Center.

No experience necessary. All materials included. Registration is required, as space is limited.

Course Fee: $100, 10% off for members

Purchase Tickets

Dominique Townsend completed her doctorate at Columbia University, specializing in Tibetan Buddhism and culture. Her work explores the intersections of monastic Buddhism with Tibetan culture and society more broadly, primarily through the arts and aesthetics. In addition to studying Buddhism and Tibetan language in academic contexts, she has also traveled extensively in the Himalayas and lived in Tibetan Buddhist communities.

Cancellation Policy: Requests for cancellation made at least one week prior to the first class will be refunded for the full amount. Requests made within one week and prior to 48 hours before the first class will be refunded for ½ of the total amount paid. Requests made within 48 hours of the first class will not be refunded.

Queens College at the Rubin Museum of Art

East Asian Civilization II – Intersection of Cultures

Fridays: February 1 – May 24, 2013
(Class will not meet on March 29)                                      
4:30 – 7:20 pm
15 sessions

This course explores medieval East, Central, and South Asia through the lens of various travelers, especially Buddhist monks from the 7th to the 13th century. These travelers carved a path through some of the highest artistic accomplishments of the period in painting, sculpture, architecture and literature. Students will read first-hand accounts of these journeys, as well as legendary ones, such as the former court lady turned Buddhist nun, Lady Nijo (13th Century) and the Zen poet Basho (17th Century).  Further, the class will look at the accounts of westerners who traveled to the East, such as Marco Polo (traveled 1271-1291) and the politics of the “rediscovery” of the Silk Road cities by Europeans in the 19th Century.

Serinity Young is a faculty member of the highly regarded Asian Studies program at Queens College.

To register: Matriculated CUNY students may register for this course online at Queens College. Non-matriculated students who would like to take the course for credit must also register online and pay full price. Auditors pay full price but do not receive credit.

Click here to register for this course

 

Mongols and Global History

Thursdays: January 31 – May 15
(Class will not meet on March 28)
2:15-5:00 pm
15 sessions

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mongols carved out the largest contiguous land empire in world history, stretching from Korea and Russia in the north and China and Syria in the south. This course describes not only the conquests of Genghis Khan, Khubilai Khan and their successors but also their impact on the political, economic, religious, cultural, and artistic histories of Eurasia, focusing on China, Russia, the Middle East, and Western Europe. Lectures will be illustrated with images from Chinese, Persian, Western European, Mongolian, and European art.

Morris Rossabi is Senior Research Scholar and Adjunct Professor of Inner Asian History at Columbia University and Distinguished Professor of History in the Asian Studies program at Queens College.

To register: Matriculated CUNY students may register for this course online at Queens College. Non-matriculated students who would like to take the course for credit must also register online and pay full price. Auditors pay full price but do not receive credit.

Click here to register for this course