The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York is set to organize an exhibition titled 'Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama' from December 19, 2015 to June 5, 2016. The exhibition celebrates the dramas commonly staged in southern India during religious festivals.
The Met's exhibition will highlight five rare wooden sculptural masks that represent a largely ignored category of late medieval Indian religious art. The masks depict the protagonists between Vishnu in a man-lion avatar Narasimha and an evil king.
This Lord Vishnu exhibition will surely make for a thought-provoking way to promote dialogue about Hinduism, the world's oldest and third largest religion. It is sure to attract the attentions and interest of the three million or so Hindus residing in the USA.
Hindu Deity Exhibits
The Metropolitan's Museum Exhibit Depicts Lord Vishnu's Lion Avatar
Trend Themes
1. Religious Art Exhibitions - This exhibition highlights a unique category of religious art and opens up opportunities for showcasing other religious art forms.
2. Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue - The exhibition provides a platform for promoting dialogue and understanding between different religious communities.
3. Cultural Heritage Preservation - By showcasing rare wooden sculptural masks, this exhibition highlights the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
Industry Implications
1. Museum and Art Exhibitions - Museums and art institutions can explore more opportunities to showcase religious art exhibitions and attract diverse audiences.
2. Interreligious Organizations - Interreligious organizations can leverage this exhibition as a catalyst for promoting dialogue and collaboration between different religious communities.
3. Cultural Tourism - The exhibition can attract tourists interested in experiencing and learning about different cultures, contributing to the growth of cultural tourism.