Rubin Museum

by kunal.bhatt

Visiting the Rubin Museum was quite an experience. There was an area on the fifth or sixth floor I believe in which many figures  of the Buddha were situated under dim light and one could hear holy chants in the background. I found this quite intriguing because Buddhism is quite similar to Hinduism. Idols are worshiped in both religions and chanting is a means of expression, worship, and devotion to the gods. One piece that really caught my eye was the Siddhartha Gautama. On a side board it read “also known as Sakyamuni, is represented as the symbol and prize of Buddhism”. The Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as a “prophet” in Hinduism & Buddhism. Gautama advocated the “Middle Way” for Buddhism. The Middle Way was a path of self indulgence and mortification. Next to the figure, there was a side note which explained the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The four noble truths include inevitability of suffering, finding one’s true identity, annihilation, and our desire of suffering leads to a desire for sensuality. The Noble Eightfold path asserts right understanding, action, thought, speech, and basic natural laws and rights. This is very similar in today’s society where we see that individuals are striving to play a vast role in society. Next to Siddhartha Gautama was a piece of art that dates back to Ancient India. In my opinion, this was done by the museum architects in a specific way because I found both pieces of work very similar in it’s function and elements. For Example,the Gautama and the piece from Ancient India both emphasized spirituality, inner peace, and responsibility. Idols are worshiped in both religions and chanting is a means of expression, worship, and devotion to the gods. I was very comfortable in the museum  and took several photos which possibly date back to Ancient India. Such paintings included the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara which includes the God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This painting dates back to 13-17th century. It was interesting because I noticed all the elements that are true to Asian art since I recently studied Asian art in my Art History class. I think that when one goes to the museum, one needs to have an open and creative mind and look for the little details that each sculpture holds. For example, FLASK, a painting from Ming Dynasty China was known most for its porcelain media. This “media” or medium was enriched with hidden dragons. These dragons in my opinion, represent the culture and pride of many dynasties that once succeeded China. I learned a lot when I visited the museum and I was glad that I knew a lot of the paintings I looked at. I usually don’t enjoy Art or the trips that we go on from our English class. Knowing the information prior to going was very helpful because it was easier for me to analyze and interpret the scenery and mood of the painting. On the visit to the Whitney Museum Of American Art,  I had no idea what Burchfield was trying to prove in his paintings, and I continue to remain oblivious about Burchfield and his viewpoints. As my friends and I entered the Museum, the smell of Indian food was the first thing I noticed in the cafe. All in all, I felt very comfortable on visiting the Rubin Museum and I’m quite grateful that it was a learning experience even though I’m not a big fan of art museums to begin with. One thing I learned was that you have to go with an open mind. Careful observation and analysis is key to understanding what the artist conveys to the observer.