Opening at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
Today we attended the opening of Meg Whitlock’s photography exhibit at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. It was a great day to be out and this is a new part of the island for us. I have been told that this is the highest point on the east coast, being somewhat south of the Verrazano Bridge and with no leaves on the trees, we could see vast expanses of the Atlantic between houses and over roof tops. The houses on the ocean side of the road were surprising in that the entrance level was often the second or third floor of the building. The drop off is so sheer that additional floors were built down from street level with the farther reaches on stilts, many driveways are like bridges from the street to the house.
Here are some views of the museum terraces.
The street is about level with the museum’s roof.
Some of my favorite iris were blooming in the terrace garden.
Lhasa on the Hudson is a fine-art photography project that has been funded by the Council of the Arts and Humanities of Staten Island, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and JP Morgan Chase. The focus of the project is a documentary investigation of the life and work of members of the Tibetan community currently living in New York City, with Staten Island itself having been the home of a major Tibetan cultural institution for over 60 years. Since that time, thousands of Tibetans have emigrated to every borough of New York City, as well as to New Jersey and Long Island. A recent survey by the Government of Tibet estimates that there are 7,000 Tibetans living in the New York metropolitan area-and over 1,000 Tibetan mothers with children. The project was approached initially from the perspective of Tibetan mothers who have emigrated to the United States in search of the abundant educational and human rights opportunities necessary for their children to thrive in a globalized modern society. The goal of this project was the investigation of both the accomplishments and challenges facing the modern Tibetan community in diaspora, while providing the beginnings of a visual record for future generations of Tibetans living in New York-children who will grow up as both American citizens and inheritors of a culture that has survived both the loss of its country and over 50 years of life in exile.
More about the exhibit at this link Lhasa on the Hudson
Meg Whitlock receiving a set of prayer flags at the opening of her show from the Museum Director Meg Ventrudo.
Part of the ever changing exhibit of the Marchais collection of Tibetan Art.
Our friends Stephen and Shannon.
More of some of the Museum Collection.
A small altar.
I’ve been thinking about making something like this but to hold candles.
This is one of a pair of chairs set with stones that look like ink painted landscapes.
Colman talking with Farrell.
Beverly
Stephen and Shannon
The photographer Meg Whitlock and Beverley.
Meg and fiancee Tim.
The lighthouse on Lighthouse Hill, Staten island
