‘Sacred Spain’ Exhibit Features Historic Catholic Artwork, Artifacts

THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH
By Mary Ann Wyand

"MadridMadre Jerónima de la Fuente" (1620) by Diego Velázquez;
oil on canvas; 63 x 42 3/8 in. (160 x 107.5 cm); Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

INDIANA---“Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World,” a unique, one-time exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, is an incredible assembly of 17th-century paintings and other objects from Spain and Latin America. Indianapolis Museum of Art conservator Christina Milton O’Connell works on restoring the “Virgin of Guadalupe” in early June to prepare the painting for display in the museum’s “Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World” exhibition. The oil-on-ca nvas painting was created by an unknown artist in Mexico in about 1700. The exhibit, which opened Oct. 11 and runs through Jan. 3, was specially created for the museum and will only be shown there, said Ronda Kasl, senior curator of painting and sculpture before 1800. [link]

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A&O PRIZE FOR CLERGY (2009): Father Luke

AOA NEWS
By Ernest Britton

NEW YORK CITY - In recognition of his role as a rock-n-roller in Harlem and as a young Priest, Tahlib, a co-founder of the blog, Alpha Omega Arts announced today that Father Luke is the first inductee for the new A&O Prize for Clergy Advocates.

Tahlib said, "I certainly didn't expect to find a Roman Catholic monk who was also a rock musician as I boarded the flight from Indianapolis back home to NYC." Dressed, in the frigid January cold wearing a pair of sandals with woolly black socks, a thick grey robe, and a dusty-looking rope tied around his waist from which a huge wooden cross dangled, he hardly knew what to make of the monk waiting not far from him at the Indianapolis International Airport.


Once the passengers were called for boarding however, Tahlib quickly dismissed him as an eccentric, but God had other plans. "When I made my way to my seat on the plane," said Tahlib, "I found that the strange monk was already seated in the chair next to mine." Forced into an uncomfortable situation with a strange looking man, Tahlib began to share his life in NYC, and the young monk from a farm in Indiana began doing the same. Both idealists, Tahlib, a Civil Rights activists and Luke a Priest the too were soon engaged in an exciting conversation about faith, commitment and the power of art.

Father Luke is a one member of a group of young musicians & Franciscan Friars who are now giving rock concerts at their growing monastery in Harlem/NYC, all as part of their evangelizing efforts. Tahlib is a day-time Civil Rights activist, full time Christian and artist advocate. [link]

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A&O Prize (2009): Helen Zughaib

"Midnight Prayers" by Helen Zughaib

NEW YORK - "Midnight Prayers" (above) by Washington DC-based artist, Helen Zughaib is the 2009 winner of the 2nd annual Alpha & Omega Prize. The A&OPrize (no trophy or cash prize) is an annual contemporary religious art recognition for a single artwork by an American artist which has promoted a major dialogue about religion in America through during the past 12-18 months. Zughaib's goal is to bring about peace and interfaith understanding through her artworks. This summer, President Barack Obama gave Zughaib’s "Midnight Prayers" to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq.

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Solah Shringar - The 16 Adornments of a Hindu Bride

HUBPAGES
By Anamika S

Hindu Bride Image with Solah Shringar

INDIA - Every Bride wants to look like a princess on her Wedding Day. Solah Shringar refers to the sixteen adornments of a Bride (Woman) for beautification. Solah Shringar is especially important for an Indian bride on the most significant day of her life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the wedding day. In India, the beautification of the bride consists of sixteen parts and covers almost every part of the body right from the head to the toe. The Solah Shringar ritual is said to correspond to the sixteen phases of the moon which has a negative effect on the woman’s menstrual cycle. Solah Shringar is said to nullify this effect. The term shringar is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is a model wife and the representation of female beauty, good luck, prosperity and fertility. [link]

AOA Summary:

1. Red colored wedding sari (wedding dress)
2. Brides hair is then styled and adorned with flowers and jewelry.
3. The eyes are highlighted with Kajal or kohl to make it more attractive and appealing.
4. Bindi is put on the bride’s forehead and decorated with red and white dots around it and along the eyebrows.
5. Maangtika is worn on the central parting of the hair of the bride mostly made out of gold.
6. Nose Ring is worn on the left nostril and is supported by a gold chain, which extends just behind left ear.
7. Ear rings adorn the ears of the bride. Since the ear rings worn by bride are quite heavy they are normally supported by a gold chain passing over the crown of the head.
8. Mangalsutra necklace is worn around the neck is tied by the groom during the wedding rituals.
9. Baajuband or armlets are worn on the upper arms of the bride over the sari blouse.
10. Mehendi is another significant shringar of the bride which is applied on the bride's hands and feet.
11. Bangles or bracelets made of gold, glass or other metals depending upon the custom.
12. Eight rings in both her hands, which are attached with a central flower or medallion that covers the upper part of the hand called hathphulor.
13. Kamarband is a beautifully designed gold or silver belt is worn around the waist of the bride.
14. Silver anklets are worn on the ankles of the bride and toes are adorned with toe rings made of silver. The feet are also decorated.
15. Itar or fragrance is applied on to the bride to keep her fresh and smelling good.
16. Sindoor is applied on the central parting of the hair during the wedding ceremony.

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Collecting Retablos

The New Mexico State University has the largest U.S. collection of "Retablos" (over 1700). Later this year, the university will feature a major exhibit of this collection. I will follow the news from the university to keep readers up to date on the coming display.

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Catholics Angry at PETA ads

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

The model Joanna Krupa's new PETA ads are attracting angry voices of many religious reactionaries. The model recently appeared nearly nude in an ad for PETA where she sports angel wings and having a crucifix placed on her body. The ad says “Be an angel for animals” as shown left. The campaign is to encourage people to adopt pets instead of buying them. The PETA ad however has made the Catholic League angry. They feel that the naked Joanna Krupa holding the religious symbol is blasphemy. (Source: Island Crisis)

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Conversation with R. Crumb on "Genesis Illuminated"

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