By Ian Rapoport
Executive Arts Editors
The “Landscapes of Devotion: Scared Sites of India” exhibition, which consists of paintings and photographs depicting religious stories and locations of India, intrigues viewers by depicting a rich culture largely unknown by the Western World.
“Landscapes of Devotion” is a collection of works all centered around the varied religious influences in India. This includes photographs of religious sites within the country, such as pilgrimage sites, and a series of paintings depicting different Indian gods and ceremonies.
The main draw the of the exhibition comes not from the art itself, but the stories attached to it. Each painting is accompanied with a surprisingly thorough description of the depicted events and the significance of their cultural ties. “Landscapes of Devotion” serves as a brief lesson on the history of Hinduism and other spiritual practices from the country’s past. The stories are varied and so unknown in the United States that just viewing a few pieces feels culturally enriching.
However, the exhibit’s appeal is not solely based on its narrative; the few photographs included are some of the most notable additions. The exhibit includes a few 19th-century photos of by English photographer Samuel Bourne, depicting religious sites such as the pilgrimage destination Varanasi. The addition of Bourne’s photos add a real-world perspective to the many practices shown in the paintings, serving to be the ideal complement. Furthermore, given how old Bourne’s pictures are, many of the sights he photographed are now likely gone or changed, giving the photos a heightened sense of value and meaning.
“Landscapes of Devotion: Visualizing Sacred Sites of India” is now on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Admission is free for those under age 18, and ticket prices range from $10 to $15 for everyone else.
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