Music and art are supposed to be more than time-passers — at their
best, they're supposed to offer enlightenment. A new, innovative
five-week series that begins today at area museums and religious
institutions takes that mission very seriously. Called The Search for the Spiritual through Art,
it aims to explore the intersection of music, worship and faith.
Today's event is a 7 p.m. Cincinnati Art Museum discussion led by James
Buchanan of Xavier and Richard Sarason of University of Cincinnati on
the role of music, spirituality and worship in world religions.The
museum collections will be open 5-7 p.m. for self-guided tours.
On March 21, following a 5-7 p.m. tour of collections at Hebrew Union
College's Skirball Museum, Klezmer musician Michael Alpert will lecture
on the tradition of this Jewish music and even play a few tunes. Looking
ahead, tours and presentations will occur March 28th at Hindu Temple of
Greater Cincinnati ("The Spiritual Basis of Indian Music"); April 11 at
Taft Museum of Art (a concert by Catacoustic Consort, "Stabat Mater:
Sacred Hymns"); and April 18 at Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati (a
film and discussion, Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World). The
series costs $60; individual programs are $20 each. For members of the
sponsoring institutions or seniors, the cost is $30 and $10.
Students are free with ID. Reservations are required at 513-721-ARTS or www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org. More information about the speakers, programs and locations is available at www.thespiritualinart.org.
