Recently, the education team here at the Rubin took another field trip; this time to the Queens Museum of Art! We went to see the new “Anonymous: Contemporary Tibetan Art” exhibit featuring many works from the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation! While commuting to the museum, we had quite the view as we gazed out the 7 train windows.
(from left to right: Olivia Buscarino, Teen Programs Coordinator, Laura Lombard, Head of Adult & Academic Programs, Bill Appleton, Director of Education & Engagement, Laura Craft, Family Programs Coordinator, Lyndsey Anderson, Visitor Experience & Access Programs Manager, Nicole Leist, Assistant Manager of Adult & Academic Programs, Gail Goldspiel, Coordinator of Youth & Family Programs)
Before entering the museum, we were greeted by quite a large rainbow near the Unisphere!
We were greeted by Jason Yoon, Director of Education, and the curatorial team. Having such a private tour was a real treat and looking at and discussing the artworks together was very rewarding. Here is a selection of some of my favorite pieces that we viewed:
From top to bottom: Rabkar Wangchuk, Spiritual Mind and Modern Technology, 2013; Sherab Gyaltsan, Roots and Mandala, 2012; Karma Phuntsok (b. Lhasa, 1959) Marpa, 2008; Gade (born Lhasa, 1971) Mahakala, 2013; Tenzing Rigdol, Melong 2013, various paper, pecha and silk brocade on canvas)
It was fascinating to compare and contrast these modern and interpretative artworks with the works that we have on view here at the museum. We noticed and discussed many details found in our traditional paintings that we also saw in this collection, as seen above. For example, in the first painting above, titled, Spiritual Mind and Modern Technology, the Big Apple is atop Buddha’s head and from his ears hang Home Depot and Best Buy earrings. And in the second to last painting above, we see Shrek and Ronald McDonald in the place of deities at the top of the painting, and instead of skulls hanging around the central figure’s body, we see a garland of Mickey Mouse heads! I was truly drawn in by these details and found the trip truly memorable and eye-opening.
Of course, no trip to the Queens Museum of Art is complete with the unforgettable views of the Panorama of the City of New York!
Many thanks to the great team at the Queens Museum of Art for giving us such a wonderful tour!