Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1998 07 10th Anniversary of Jain Bhavan

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 119

The Peaceful Liberators - Jain Art from India by Shree Hasendrabhai Shah
"A beautiful new exhibition that opened Sunday at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), a group of more than twenty compelling sculptures are unlike any I've seen before. In fact they may have no counterpart anywhere in art world", commented Christopher Knight, Art Critic for Los Angeles Times. He continued its praise by adding, "The Peaceful Liberators ranks among the most significant shows the museum has organized in several seasons."
The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India, a major exhibition was organized by Los Angeles County Museum of Art from November 6 1994 to January 22 1995. The exhibition consisted of about one hundred fifty (150) aesthetically and historically significant works of art related to Jain religion. There were wood, metal, and stone sculptures, monumental textile paintings, illuminated manuscripts, folio and several symbolic objects. Each art piece was unique and one of a kind with no comparison. Words cannot describe the serene beauty and awesome impact of this art exhibition.
Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, senior curator of Indian and Southeast Asian Art was instrumental along with his colleagues to envision this project. It took a lot of effort and persistence to make it happen.
The rich heritage and principles of Jainism were presented in a manner which would appeal equally to any lay person who was totally unknown to this philosophy as to any Jain. Educational services, lectures, guided tours were rated very highly. Introductory video provided an overview about the Jain religion. Classical dance performance and documentary films were added attractions of the exhibition.
Jain community and Jain Center of Southern California cooperated and worked with LACMA to publicize and promote this historic event. Approximately 50,000 visitors took advantage of the exhibition. Among the visitors, 73% had a college degree and about 63% were seeing Jain Art for the first time. The exhibition made many people and educators aware of the Jain Philosophy and Jain Art. It made all Jains very proud of our rich cultural heritage and religion.
Some comments from visitors describe the true spirit and impact of exhibition.... Excellent....Supremely informative to those without previous information....Well done.... Thorough and informative.... Peaceful-beautiful.... Look forward to more exhibitions that will give an opportunity to share one of the world's great cultures.
Trying is the opposite of meditation. Relax completely and dissolve all your thoughts, that is the real technique of meditation. - Ankit Vasa (12)