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Altars Altering: An Experiment in Bringing Forth a New Reality

Date Posted: 08/30/10
Organization: The Lily Art Center
City: Goshen

Description:

What are altars and what purpose do they serve? According to the online Encyclopedia Britannica “altars probably originated when certain localities (a tree, a spring, a rock) came to be regarded as holy or as inhabited by spirits or gods, whose intervention could be solicited by the worshiper.” Altars are also sacred places to leave offerings. People “offer up” their concerns, fears, or make requests. When a request has been fulfilled the worshiper then places an offering on the altar as an expression of his gratitude. The altars we create for “Altars Altering” will be a daily reminder that our lives are in service to something, and that we are consciously working to bring about the transformation we seek. The altars will be a tangible display of our commitment. This exhibit will tell a story of what we want to alter—what matters most to us as individuals and as a community. If you would like to participate, please respond by September 30th with a proposal for the altar you plan to exhibit. Please include the approximate size or how much space the piece requires, the medium and a 250-word narrative of what the work seeks to alter. For example, one artist is creating an altar to peace, power and freedom. The artist’s intention is to alter people’s ability to access and experience peace, power and freedom in their lives. The mixed media work will need an approximately area 5’h x 6’w x 2’d. Another artist has proposed creating an altar to talk radio and TV. His intention is to render all talk radio and TV personalities mute. The space required is 3’ h. x 3 w. x 2’d. We, the Board of The Lily Art Center, see Greene & Berkey, the building housing The Lily Art Center, as an example of an altar altering. It is a visual representation of a commitment to preserve, protect and manage our resources. We offer our money, resources and time to maintain a valuable historic structure and to create a vibrant and thriving community space. What we seek to alter is the notion that old buildings are obsolete and too costly to maintain and repurpose. Through participation the community brings about a new future, a new reality for an old building. The opening of the show will be October 31, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:30 P.M. The show will run through January 5, 2011. There is no entry fee and The Lily Art Center will take a 30% commission on all work sold. Our space is limited so we may not be able to accommodate all submitted work. For more information call Janis Martin at 574.825.7787. Applications will be available at www.lilyartcenter.org/exhibit after September 4, 2010. Applications and proposals should be mailed to The Lily Art Center, 2211 Berkey Ave. Goshen, IN 46526