The Lotus Effect with origami artist Uttam Grandhi
Dear followers, you’re invited to be part of a new installation at the Rubin: The Lotus Effect. Inspired by the work of artist Uttam Grandhi and the lotuses depicted in our collection that represent purity, awakening, transformation, and compassion, The Lotus Effect asks you create an origami lotus and contribute it to a participatory installation of gratitude and perseverance. Here’s how:
• Watch this video to learn more about the project and how to fold a lotus.
• Dedicate your lotus to someone or something that inspires you during challenging and transformative times.
• Share your lotus with the Museum You can bring your lotus to the Rubin in person when we reopen or mail your lotus to us. You can also share on Instagram or Twitter anytime, tagging @RubinMuseum and #TheLotusEffect for a chance to have it installed digitally in the Museum lobby.
• Follow us on social media over the next few weeks as we explore the various depictions and meanings of lotuses in paintings and sculptures from our collection.
Visit our website for more information on the project and how to participate: http://therubin.org/2zr
Week 6 Ep 4: Impermanence of Identity w/ the Yakpo Collective
In this episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi introduces a series of self-portraits by the contemporary artist Gonkar Gyatso. Then members of The Yakpo Collective share how personal growth and the impermanence of identity have shaped them as young artists from the Tibetan diaspora.
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additional image credit: Gonkar Gyatso (b. 1961, Lhasa); My Identity series; 2007; chromogenic prints; courtesy of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection
Week 6 Ep 5: Drawing as Meditative Practice w/ Palden Weinreb
In the final episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi describes the mandala of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra, exploring how mandalas are used as a meditative tool and means to contemplate emptiness. Artist Palden Weinreb then explores how meditation and mantra guided his early practice.
Week 6 Ep 3: Resonating with Silence w/ Manose
In this episode, Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi tells the story of the yogi and poet Milarepa. His dark past and transformation highlight our ability to change and grow, despite tumultuous beginnings.
Then, Grammy-nominated Nepalese musician Manose improvises a piece on the bamboo flute inspired by Milarepa. He asks us to not only listen to our environments in new ways but also to resonate with silence.
Week 6 Ep 2: Finding Ritual in the Mundane w/ Youdhistir Maharjan
In this episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi describes a standing prayer wheel. Artist Youdhistir Maharjan then shares his labor-intensive artistic practice. While staying at home, Maharjan is cutting each individual letter out of Gabriel García Márquez’s book One Hundred Years of Solitude, showing that the repetitive and mundane can become a form of meditation.
Week 6 Ep 1: Destruction Can Inspire Creation with Tsherin Sherpa
Today we begin the 6th and final week of The Rubin Daily Offering, featuring artists with ties to the Himalayan region. Join us over the next 5 days as arists share creative practices that inspire their work and invite us to think creatively and collaboratively.
In the 1st episode, Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi introduces Tsherin Sherpa’s "Wish-fulfilling Tree," currently on view in the Rubin Museum’s exhibition "Shrine Room Projects." Then artist Tsherin Sherpa invites viewers to share an image of a treasured object as a collective act to create connection during this time of separation.
What object makes you contemplate loss? Share with us on instagram tagging @RubinMuseum and #EngageWithChange.
Week 5 Ep 5: Be Open to the Unknown with Arun Ramamurthy and Trina Basu
This past week, musicians from the artist collective Brooklyn Raga Massive have joined the Rubin’s Assistant Manager of Digital Engagement Aidan Young to explore lessons in impermanence from the Museum’s art collection and how uncertainty can fuel inspiration in our lives.
In this episode, Aidan explores an intricate painting from a set that depicts the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava. Then Arun Ramamurthy and Trina Basu share lessons in embracing the unknown and a musical offering, an improvisation in raga Yaman.
Week 5 Ep 4: Cycles of Breath with Kaoru Watanabe
In this episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, the Museum's Assistant Manager of Digital Engagement Aidan Young describes a vivid contemporary painting of the Wheel of Existence, a visual representation of Buddhist beliefs about life, death, and rebirth. Then musician Kaoru Watanabe (@kaorufue) shares a composition on the shinobue, taiko, and narimono called Chiru, exploring intention and the breath.
Week 5 Ep 3: Push Beyond Boundaries with Kane Mathis
In this episode, the Rubin's Assistant Manager of Digital Engagement Aidan Young explores a beautiful sculpture of Vajravarahi, the powerful deity who embodies the wisdom of all buddhas. Then musician Kane Mathis of Brooklyn Raga Massive explores how to be reflective and authentic, taking us through an improvisation on the oud of Uşşak Taksim.
Week 5 Ep 2: Sing, Dance, and Play with Jay Gandhi
In this episode, the Rubin's Assistant Manager of Digital Engagement Aidan Young describes a vibrant painting of the mahasiddhas Kamala, Suvarnadvipa, and Viraya, who are three of the 84 great mahasiddhas. Then musician Jay Gandhi inspires us to embrace spontaneity and subtle emotions, as he shares a musical offering from Alep, the opening section of the raga Desh.
Week 5 Ep 1: Connect to the Voices that Came Before Us w/ Roopa Mahadevan
For the fifth week of The Rubin Daily Offering, musicians from the artist collective Brooklyn Raga Massive join the Rubin’s Assistant Manager of Digital Engagement Aidan Young to explore lessons in impermanence from the Museum’s art collection and how uncertainty can fuel inspiration in our lives.
In this episode, Aidan introduces a thangka painting of Saraswati, a goddess of learning, music, and aesthetics. Then Roopa Mahadevan offers a teaching on resilience and performs a musical piece from the raga Kalyani.
Week 4 Ep 5: Learning to Self-Correct
In the final episode of the week, the Rubin’s Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Dawnette Samuels explores a painting of Prajnaparamita, or the mother of perfection. Then the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi teaches us about this special deity and how she embodies the message of the Heart Sutra, inspiring us to move toward wisdom.
Week 4 Ep 4: Embodying Presence
In this episode, the Rubin's Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Dawnette Samuels describes a beautiful sculpture of Vajrasattva, a primordial buddha. Then the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi shares the Hundred Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva to help us be more present and fearless.
Week 4 Ep 3: Loving-Kindness to Inspire Interconnectedness
In this episode, the Rubin's Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Dawnette Samuels explores an intricate, striking image of the Bodhisattva of Compassion Avalokiteshvara, also known as Lokeshvara. Then the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi leads a meditation to inspire loving-kindness in ourselves and others, reminding us that despite distance we are all connected.
Week 4 Ep 2: Finding Our Buddha Nature
In this episode, the Rubin’s Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Dawnette Samuels describes a beautiful portrait of the Buddha Maitreya, or the Future Buddha, near his cave of meditation. Then Buddhist monk the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi teaches us how Maitreya can inspire our own buddha nature and potential for buddhahood.
Week 4 Ep 1: Wisdom in Solitude w/ the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi
For the 4th week of The Rubin Daily Offering, Buddhist monk and Founding Director of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi joins the Rubin’s Manager of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Dawnette Samuels to explore various teachings inspired by deities depicted in the Rubin Museum art collection that can help us find peace in solitude.
In this episode, Dawnette Samuels introduces a sculpture of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. Then the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi offers a teaching and moment of meditation on the foundational mantra of Manjushri, "om ara pa tsa na dhi."
Week 3 Ep 5: Flow Like Water with Kate Johnson
In the final episode of the week, the Rubin's Chief Experience Officer Jamie Lawyer introduces us to a painting of the enlightened being Vajrayogini, surrounded by her fellow dakinis (sky goers). Then meditation teacher and sustainability coach Kate Johnson leads a meditation to explore how we can be inspired to go with the flow and embrace movement.
Week 3 Ep 4: Embracing Listening with Kate Johnson
Today, the Rubin's Chief Experience Officer Jamie Lawyer introduces us to a painting of Milarepa, the famed Tibetan poet and yogi. Then, meditation teacher and sustainability coach Kate Johnson leads a meditation inspired by Milarepa’s gesture of listening to help us expand our receptive awareness.
Week 3 Ep 3: Courageous Care with Kate Johnson
In this episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, Chief Experience Officer Jamie Lawyer introduces us to a sculpture of the Hindu goddess Durga killing the buffalo demon. Then meditation teacher and sustainability coach Kate Johnson leads a meditation to explore how Durga can inspire us to embody courageous compassion and fierce love.
Week 3 Ep 2: Spiritual Abundance with Kate Johnson
In this episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, the Rubin’s Chief Experience Officer Jamie Lawyer introduces us to a painting of Buddha Ratnasambhava and the generosity mudra. Then meditation teacher and sustainability coach Kate Johnson leads a meditation to explore how Ratnasambhava can inspire us to feel and spread a sense of generosity and abundance in our lives.
Week 3, Ep 1: Earth Element with Kate Johnson
For the third week of The Rubin Daily Offering, meditation teacher and sustainability coach Kate Johnson joins the Rubin’s Chief Experience Officer Jamie Lawyer to explore how the gestures, mudras, and postures seen in artworks at the Rubin Museum can inspire us to be present in our bodies during challenging times.
In the first episode of the week, Jamie Lawyer introduces us to a beautiful painting of Buddha Shakyamuni, currently located in the exhibition Gateway to Himalayan Art. Then Kate Johnson leads a meditation to explore how the earth element can inspire us to feel more grounded in our bodies.
Week 2 Ep 5: "With Spring Comes Change" w/ Dr. Tawni Tidwell
For the second week of The Rubin Daily Offering, Tibetan medicine doctor and biocultural anthropologist Dr. Tawni Tidwell joins Curator of Himalayan Art Elena Pakhoutova to explore Tibetan medical thankgas in the Rubin Museum collection and offer practices to keep bodies in balance during times of distress.
In the final episode of the week, Elena Pakhoutova describes a Tibetan medical thangka that emphasizes the importance of spring as a season of renewal. Then Dr. Tidwell reminds us to acknowledge the change of seasons by inviting natural elements into our home environments.
Week 2 Ep 4: Balancing Toxins through Diet with Dr. Tawni Tidwell
This episode begins with Elena Pakhoutova describing two thankgas that depict various causes of fever and disease. She highlights the societal and environmental conditions that are thought to be the cause of these ailments as understood in the Tibetan medical tradition. Then Dr. Tawni Tidwell teaches us the importance of a balanced diet, while offering some practical guidelines for optimizing mental and physical health.
Week 2 Ep 3: The Tree of Health and Illness
For the second week of The Rubin Daily Offering, Tibetan medicine doctor and biocultural anthropologist Dr. Tawni Tidwell joins Curator of Himalayan Art Elena Pakhoutova to explore Tibetan medical thankgas in the Rubin Museum collection and offer practices to keep bodies in balance during times of distress.
On this episode, Elena Pakhoutova explores a colorful representation of the tree—or root—of health and illness as it’s understood in the Tibetan medical tradition. Then Dr. Tawni Tidwell teaches us how to fashion a hot compress to enhance feelings of comfort.
Week 2 Ep 2: Combating Toxins with Dr. Tawni Tidwell
For the second week of The Rubin Daily Offering, Tibetan medicine doctor and biocultural anthropologist Dr. Tawni Tidwell from joins Curator of Himalayan Art Elena Pakhoutova to explore Tibetan medical thankgas in the Rubin Museum collection and offer practices to keep bodies in balance during times of distress.
This episode starts with Elena Pakhoutova guiding us through a depiction of the various toxins found in the natural world, both physical and mental poisons. Then Dr. Tawni Tidwell leads a visualization practice, leaving us with a reminder that life renews in the absence of toxins.
Week 2 Ep 1:The Gut as Gateway to Health
For the second week of The Rubin Daily Offering, Tibetan medicine doctor and biocultural anthropologist Dr. Tawni Tidwell joins Curator of Himalayan Art Elena Pakhoutova to explore Tibetan medical thankgas in the Rubin Museum collection and offer practices to keep bodies in balance during times of distress.
In the first episode of the week, Elena Pakhoutova introduces us to a vibrant depiction of the Medicine Buddha Palace. Then Dr. Tidwell shares how everything around us can be a medicine and suggests healthful tips to incorporate into our daily routines.
Week 1 Ep 5: “Love for All Beings” w/ Sharon Salzberg
Our first week of The Rubin Daily Offering concludes in this final episode inspired by Tara, who works for the benefit of all beings through her many forms.
Today, Head of Programs Dawn Eshelman describes a vibrant thangka, or scroll painting, of Green Tara surrounded by her 21 expressions. Each of her forms is associated with a unique ability to protect and remove obstacles for humanity. Then Sharon Salzberg guides us through a grounding mindfulness practice to cultivate a sense of connection, leaving us with a parting message on spreading loving-kindness.
Have you watched all of our episodes with Sharon Salzberg this week? Let us know which session you enjoyed the most and share your own tips for coping with change in the comments.
Week 1 Ep 4: “Self-love” w/ Sharon Salzberg
Our first week of The Rubin Daily Offering continues with Sharon Salzberg and Head of Programs Dawn Eshelman taking inspiration from the revered Tibetan Buddhist deity Tara.
In today’s episode Dawn Eshelman introduces a sculpture of Tara attributed to the Tenth Karmapa, Chöying Dorjem, an eccentric figure in the history of Tibetan art. Then Sharon Salzberg guides us through a grounding mindfulness practice and leaves us with a parting message on self-care.
What have you done to take care of yourself lately? Let us know and share your own tips for coping with change in the comments.
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Premiered on IGTV on April 5, 2020
Week 1 Ep 3: “Freedom from Fear” w/ Sharon Salzberg
In episode 3 of The Rubin Daily Offering, Head of Programs Dawn Eshelman reintroduces Green Tara, depicted in today’s artwork as the protectress from the eight great fears. This unique thangka, or scroll painting, is notable for its horizontal format and currently resides in the exhibition Masterworks of Himalayan Art. Then, Sharon Salzberg leads a brief meditation to help us face our own fears and acknowledge difficult feelings.
Where do you find strength in moments of fear? Let us know and share your own tips for coping with difficult emotions in the comments.
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Premiered on IGTV on April 4, 2020
Week 1 Ep 2: “Heightening Compassion” w/ Sharon Salzberg
In today’s episode of The Rubin Daily Offering, Head of Programs Dawn Eshelman introduces us to White Tara, a deity of compassion. The featured thangka, or scroll painting, was the first object to be acquired as part of the Rubin Museum collection! Then, Sharon Salzberg leads a brief meditation to inspire self-compassion and kindness.
Have you done anything to foster compassion over the past few days? Let us know and share your own tips in the comments.
The Rubin Museum of Art’s immersive environment stimulates learning, promotes understanding, and inspires personal connections to the ideas, cultures, and art of Himalayan Asia.
