Shrinetasm: Myanmar's Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

As I'm doing research for our new exhibit FREE SHRINES, I find everything from the fantastic to the unassuming. At the same time, these objects, sites, reliquaries and shrines are nonetheless meaningful to their devotees.

This site is often called of course, The Golden Rock. It sits atop a small shrine, and it is said that you can pass a thread beneath the rock. Buddhist belief has it that it sits upon a single strand of Buddha's hair, and that seeing it will convert anyone to Buddhism.

Been there? I'm curious about how those who live with it so close by feel about it being the 3rd largest site of pilgrimage. Never heard of it? You can read at length about it here.

Top image courtesy of Wikipedia, bottom, Creative Commons license via Flickr/R_Stanek

FREE SHRINES exhibit challenge

FREE SHRINES is a new exhibit where we are exploring the history, meaning and spontaneous use of shrines with you. We'll look at public, religious and cultural examples, and invite you to add your wishes, locations, and remembrances.

Our exhibit challenge invites you to create a shrine of your own, to show at the exhibit. Something that can fit in the palm of your hand. Contact us at info [at] sfmobilemuseum [dot] org with questions.

HERE'S THE FREE SKINNY.

SFMM Opening at Exploratorium After Dark

Our new exhibit "Shrines" will be making it's first appearance this season as part of the next Exploratorium "After Dark" event. Their theme is "Nomadic Communities" and we'll be in good company with the likes of the Dr. Karen Kalumuck, the Succulent Circus from Wonderarium, Dust City Diner, Paul Nosa, Harley K. Dubois, and hopefully Forage SF.

- Thursday, August 5, 2010
- 6-10pm

We'll be introducing you to the subject of shrines with a little history, roadside shrines, space for your to show your shrines in the Bay Area, and contribute to our take on a traditional Ema Shrine:


Top image Flickr/Creative Commons/Matt Baume who says "Once a month, the Exploratorium turns into the best bar in the city." Bottom image Wikimedia Commons.

Roadside Shrine: Dead Man's Curve?

These photos are part of a theme we're exploring– Shrines. April Banks is an artist and designer who is currently on a cross-country bicycle trip called "We Ride 3000". She's photo-documenting a type of shrine we whiz by on the roadside.

"Chad and Brandi Moreno" (year not legible).

"Mark Allen Parker, 2002". For another take on these, click here.


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Roadside Shrine: Rte 33 Near Vernailis, CA

April said that this shrine looked like a real burial site. It looks well-tended too:




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Roadside Shrine: Rte 41 Near Lemoore, CA

Again, these images from April Banks are part of the development for Shrines, an exhibit theme we're exploring with you. We're sharing what she sends us as she crosses the US– which will give us questions to ponder as a part of shaping the exhibit.

This shrine has a got a bit of delightful inventiveness. See if you can find it in the center of the image.


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