The exhibition called “India’s Universe
” included several outstanding items considered masterpieces of humanity. The 150 works of art are part of a larger collection of about 350 pieces
belonging to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA
) of Los Angeles, CA. The exhibition focuses primarily on religious art reflecting the cosmology and mythology of the three main religions, Hinduism
, originating in the Indian subcontinent which spread throughout Asia and South-East Asia.
The display included paintings and sculptures depicting a wide variety of divine and worldly beings. There are exquisite effigies representing gods, goddesses and demigods associated with protective spirits of nature and fertility. There are demons, nymphs, musicians, dancers, warriors and supernatural creatures. And finally, there are statuettes and paintings showing deified animals such as elephants, tigers and monkeys.
The exhibition featured pieces representing virtually the entire history of Indian art spanning from the third century BC to the early twentieth century. The pieces originate from locations stretching from what is now Pakistan to modern India, a region recognized along with ancient China and Egypt, as the origin of human civilization in the Old World.
Associated cultural activities
Alongside the formal presentation of Indian art, an additional India-related program of activities was offered. The agenda included films, workshops and discussions about Buddhism, Hinduism, Yoga, Classical Dancing, Indian Tattoo Designs, Sacred Geometry Mandala Art
, History, Architecture and Music from India.
Both the art exhibition and the accompanying activities were family-oriented and free of charge. Additionally, educational booklets and guided tours were included for students of primary and secondary education and the general public interested in one of the most important and comprehensive programs on Indian art and culture ever presented in Chile.
Traveling through India
Complementing the exhibition, several Chilean graphic artists joined to present a photographic display called “Destination: India
” which included dozens of images taken during their travels to India in cities such as Delhi, Calcutta and Varanasi, among others. The images show people, scenes and landscapes, allowing the audience to appreciate and understand the culture and significant social contrasts of India. The images that follow are photographs taken from some of the work displayed by photographer Mónica Oportot.
“India’s Universe” exhibition and added activities took place from March 13 to June 17, 2012, at “La Moneda Cultural Center”
, located next to the Chilean Presidential Palace in Santiago.