Exploration of Himalayan Art treasures unfurls for Lehigh Community in Traveling Exhibit
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Lehigh University is set to host the "Gateway to Himalayan Art" exhibition from January 31 to May 26, 2023. This traveling exhibition, which is a collaboration between the Rubin Museum and Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG), will showcase over 100 artworks and objects from the Himalayan region.
The exhibition covers three main areas of focus: Symbols and Meanings, Materials and Technologies, and Living Practices. It features various types of art, including Thangka paintings, sculptures, and objects used in rites and ceremonies. A highlight of the exhibition is a handheld prayer wheel from Central Tibet, early 20th century.
Lehigh University already has several pieces of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist paintings and sculptures in its permanent collection. The university's Office of International Affairs, Asian Studies Program, and Department of Religion Studies have sponsored the exhibition, which is supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
In addition to the exhibition, LUAG will host a Tibetan New Year celebration called "Losar" on February 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be further workshops and gallery tours for students and educators.
In partnership with LUAG, Lehigh's Global Citizenship Center will use the exhibition as part of the 2023 Global Teaching and Learning Fellows Seminar. On April 28, Lehigh's Asian Studies Program will hold a Spring Asian Studies Colloquium in conjunction with the exhibition.
Annabella Pitkin, associate professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions and director of the Asian Studies Program at Lehigh, is on the faculty advisory board of the Rubin Museum's Project Himalayan Art. This three-part initiative is designed to encourage the incorporation of Himalayan, Tibetan, and Inner Asian art and cultures into humanities and liberal arts curriculum.
Seven faculty members will travel to Rishikesh, India, from May 20-29, to reflect on studying abroad and using place-based learning in their classrooms. This trip is part of the ongoing efforts to integrate the teachings and cultural insights gained from the exhibition into Lehigh's academic curriculum.
While the exact itinerary of the "Gateway to Himalayan Art" exhibition beyond 2023 is not yet known, it is clear that this exhibition offers a unique opportunity for Lehigh University and its community to engage with and learn about the rich artistic and cultural traditions of the Himalayan region. For more information, visit the LUAG website or contact the Asian Studies Program at Lehigh University.
- The "Gateway to Himalayan Art" exhibition will be held at Lehigh University's campus from January 31 to May 26, 2023.
- The exhibition will feature various types of art, such as Thangka paintings, sculptures, and objects used in rites and ceremonies, covering topics like Symbols and Meanings, Materials and Technologies, and Living Practices.
- Lehigh University's Office of International Affairs, Asian Studies Program, and Department of Religion Studies have collaborated to bring this traveling exhibition to campus, which is supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
- Annabella Pitkin, an associate professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions and director of the Asian Studies Program at Lehigh, is part of the faculty advisory board for the Rubin Museum's Project Himalayan Art.
- As part of the ongoing efforts to integrate the teachings and cultural insights gained from the exhibition, seven faculty members will travel to Rishikesh, India, from May 20-29, to reflect on studying abroad and using place-based learning in their classrooms, spanning disciplines including home-and-garden, science, engineering, arts, lifestyle, culture, and travel.
