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Dramatic Photographs of European Madonnas
On Display At Smith
Images of Mary and Pilgrims are
Centerpiece of Events Examining the "Idea
and the Image of the Mother of God" Editor's note: High-resolution
digital images of six of the exhibition photographs are available.
Contact Marti Hobbes at (413) 585-2190 or mhobbes@smith.edu
to request photos that are on view at https://www.smith.edu/newsoffice/madonna.
NORTHAMPTON,
Mass. -- Europe is home to thousands of shrines to Mary,
the Mother of Jesus, dating back to the earliest
centuries. Eighty-one dramatic photographs
of European Madonnas by internationally recognized photographer
Janusz Rosikon
will be on public
display at Smith College from Nov. 13 to Dec. 12 as part
of a series of events at the college examining the influence
of Mary in European culture.
"The Madonna and the Christ
Child are, arguably, the most sacred icons of Christian culture," notes
Dean of Religious Life Jennifer Walters. The exhibition and
related events,
she says, are designed to examine "why the idea and
the image of the 'Mother of God' has captured the religions
and artistic imaginations of believers and non-believers
for ages." Associate Professor of Religion
Vera Shevzov, who teaches a course on "Images and Cults of Mary," describes
the photographs as "some of the most renowned images
of Mary in Western European culture." The stories behind
these images, Shevzov points out, "were often tied to
profound personal, local, or national histories."
"Madonny Europy/Madonnas
of Europe" will be on display
at the Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Elm Street and Round Hill
Road, from Nov. 13 through Dec. 12. The chapel is open 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
The chapel is wheelchair accessible. "Madonny Europy/Madonnas
of Europe" was presented for
the first time at the International Mariological and Marian
Congress in Rosikon's native Poland in 1996 and has been
exhibited around the world, including stops in Vilnius, London,
Oxford, Paris, Frankfurt and some 60 Polish cities. The vivid
color images, some as large as 3 x 4 feet, have been viewed
by more than 110,000 people.
Four other free, public events
are planned in conjunction with the exhibition.
At 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Wright Hall Common Room,
Rosikon will present a slide lecture about the creation of
the "Madonny Europy" exhibition.
At 4:30 p.m. Thursday,
Nov. 13, in Helen Hills Hills Chapel, University of Chicago
historian Rachel Fulton, author of "From
Judgment to Passion: Devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary,
800 to 1200," will present a lecture titled "The
Virgin in the Garden, or Why Flowers Make Better Prayers."
At
4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, there will be a Catholic Mass
at the Helen Hills Hills Chapel which will include a dance
performance by Brooklyn Ballet dancer/choreographer Lynn
Parkerson. Parkerson will dance to the Rosary Sonatas by
17th century composer Henrich Biber. Each Sonata is based
on a scene from the birth, life and resurrection of Christ,
as seen from the perspective of Mary. Parkerson's choreography
for Rosary Sonata #7 is drawn from American Sign Language,
specifically the signs for the prayer "Gloria Patri."
At
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Helen Hills Hills Chapel, the
renowned Folger Consort will present "Illuminations," a
concert and multimedia presentation of two famous medieval
Spanish collections. All songs are from the 13th-century "Cantigas
de Santa Maria, a collection of more than 400 songs praising
the Virgin Mary and recounting her intercessions on behalf
of sinners and those in need.
For more information about these
events, call the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at (413) 585-2750. -30-
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Office of College
Relations
Smith College
Garrison Hall
Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 |
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Marti
Hobbes
News Assistant
T (413) 585-2190
F (413) 585-2174
mhobbes@email.smith.edu
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