MUSEUM News GOLF OF THE GODS Rotterdam—An exhibition at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam 52 devoted to the kingdoms of Java is a true world premiere. Gold of the Gods, on view until April 6, 2015, not only unveils the largest array of Javanese gold ever assembled, it also sheds light on a little-known aspect of the island’s archaic culture. The fabulous works shown date from the seventh to ninth centuries and were created to honor the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati. They were also worn by high-ranking dignitaries on very special occasions. They depict the roles of the gods in Javanese myths and legends and reveal exceptionally masterful craftsmanship as well as a thorough and complete knowledge of the society’s spiritual foundations. These treasures were borrowed for the exhibition from the Princessehof Ceramics Museum of Leeuwarden, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen of Amsterdam and Leiden. These objects are given contextual support by numerous archival photographs of the Borobudur site, a major temple built on Java in the eighth century, which was abandoned and remained unknown to the West until a Dutch engineer visited it at the beginning of the nineteenth century. HUICHOL VISIONS Marseille—The Huichol of southwestern Mexico are an autochthonous Indian community with strong religious beliefs long handed down from ancestral traditions. They are known for their sacred use of peyote, the hallucinogenic cactus that they believe makes it possible to commune with the gods. Their nierika, or “objects to see,” are among their most recognizable artistic traditions. These enigmatically themed and brightly colored “yarn paintings” relate to visions associated with dreams and mythology. Inspired by ancient ritual practices, these creations evolved during the twentieth century and became an art form sought after by collectors worldwide. With Visions Huichol, un Art Amérindien (Huichol Visions, an Amerindian Art), Marseille’s Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens, et Amérindiens presents the richness of this expressive and mystical art through works by established artists such as Benítez Sánchez and Ramón Medina. Anthropologist Michel Perrin, who spent a number of years living among the Huichol, has provided detailed information for the exhibition that enables the viewer to decipher the symbols in the works, follow the stories they tell, and, in so doing, discover a people and their history. Left: Ear ornaments. C. 9th century. Hammered gold. D: 6.8 and 7.1 cm. Private collection. Below left: Ear ornaments. C. 9th century. Gold repoussé. D: 5.3 cm. Private collection. Below: Stupa. C. 10th century. Gold repoussé. H: 41 cm. Private collection. Right: Martín de la Cruz, Our Mother Earth,1989. Huichol, Mexico. Private collection. © Stéphane Herbert. Below right: Artist unknown, La naissance du Soleil. Huichol, Mexico. Bequest of François Reichenbach, MAAOA, Marseille. © Hugo Maertens.
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