State of the art: A Q&A with the Smithsonian's new religion curator

-
DESERET NEWS
By S. Brent Plate, Religion News Service
The Smithsonian first permanent curator of religion. Peter Manseau holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Georgetown University and whose many books include the history “One Nation, Under Gods” and the novel “Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter.” 
The place of religion in museums has a long, troubled, and often strange history. Whether devoted to art, archaeology, or history, museum spaces can provide a neutral, public space to see the role of religion in the variety of human experiences. With a major new initiative recently announced at the Smithsonian Institution, Americans will now be able to more clearly see the role of religion in the history of the United States. The Lilly Endowment has provided a $5 million grant to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History dedicated to presenting religion as a vital element in American life. [link]

Popular posts from this blog

Passing on Your Collection to Another Generation

-
Image
By Ernest Disney-Britton Our living room in downtown Indianapolis This house (in Indiana) allowed us to explore everything, but today is moving day! It was a maximalist experience for two minimalists who love to collect. We sold off multiple collections, including snow globes, Mary sculptures, paperweights, Disney plates, nutcrackers, 21c penguins, walking canes, and 100 prints and paintings! Most of it was in storage, but plenty was on display. We did it by inviting our community of artists and collectors to an estate sale before opening it to the public. Congratulations to the new owners. We hope your collections continue to grow. Goodbye, Indiana!
Read more

Museum Calls Off Kehinde Wiley Show, Citing Assault Allegations

-
Image
THE NEW YORK TIMES Kehinde Wiley at his exhibition “An Archaeology of Silence” at the de Young Museum in San Francisco in 2023. Other museums have put plans for the show on hold. Credit: Ian C. Bates for The New York Times The Minneapolis Institute of Art announced Thursday that it had decided not to move forward with a planned Kehinde Wiley exhibition, citing recent allegations of sexual misconduct against the artist, which he has denied. The exhibition, called “ An Archaeology of Silence ,” originated at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and has been traveling around the country. [ Source ]
Read more

Was Jesus naked on the cross? Yes, according to Michelangelo, the Bible, and Roman customs

-
Image
THE GLEANER | JAMAICA, WI By Rev. Clinton Chisholm Naked Jesus credited by many to Michelangelo | Courtesy of Wikipedia WISCONSIN - Our Lord Jesus Christ was, in all likelihood, naked on the cross. Christian art and the Church will not face it readily, so you won't see crucifixion pictures of Jesus with exposed penis, though in all likelihood, following Roman custom, he would have been crucified naked. [ link ]
Read more