I visited the Rubin Museum for the first time today and it was great visit. The main reason for my visit was the so-called Red Book. A secret(ish) project of the famous psychoanalyst Carl Jung. A beautifully hand lettered and illuminated manuscript that although show to friends and associates of Jung's during his life time, was fiercely guarded by his family. (One story is that although the worlds best reproduction facilities existed in Los Angeles CA, the family absolutely refused to let the book go to the United States. So instead they shipped all the machinery to Zürich, where one of the aristocratic family members would literally sleep next to the book on a bedroll in order to never let it leave his sight.) The work is a incredible project at many different levels, which Jungians love to analyze.
Besides the exhibit on Jung's work the Museum focuses on Himalayan art, of which it has an impressively well constructed exhibit. I managed to get into a tour, which a recommend highly as the tour guide was incredibly versed in all matters of the works(I'm pretty sure he was a Buddhist at some level). One floor dealt exclusively with Mandalas which I had only passing knowledge of. The diverse collection, coupled with informational chart and even some amazing computer graphics really opened up a amazing world of this iconic art, meditation and teaching tool.
The Rubin Museum of Art is located in the Chelsea district of New York City at the corner of 17th Street and 7th Avenue.
http://www.rmanyc.org/
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