Visiting Sacred Places Exhibit at the DIA

Wisdom women and friends gathered at the Detroit Institute of Arts Sunday afternoon to view and discuss the photographic exhibit, “Sacred Places,” by Kenro Izu. The 23 women assembled first visited the exhibit with guide, Paula Drewek, to highlight special features of Izu’s photography: his 300 lb. camera and reliance on platinum-palladium processing of negatives; his focus on ancient stone monuments amidst natural settings, the presence of sacred geometry, and the dense atmosphere of spirituality which his photographs captured were among features discussed. Group members were able to interact with one another during the viewing based upon a series of study questions prepared in advance. Many of the sites Izu chose to photograph were in remote locations suggesting a pilgrimage of sorts to journey there. Sites at Angkor Wat,Cambodia, Borobudur, Java, Stonehenge, and Easter Island received the bulk of attention before the group adjourned to the auditorium to hear Mr. Izu speak on his history as a photographer and his choice of sites and techniques to photograph. This was most enlightening as well as enjoyable. Mr. Izu has a marvelous sense of humor and familiarized the full house with his latest photographs in Bhutan and her people. Following his presentation, the group met in Prentice court to discuss responses to his work and our own experience of sacred places. Trish Harris, who had planned the event, lead the discussion which educed a great variety of comments and experiences. We concluded that “sacredness” is both a characteristic of certain places as well as the framework of understanding which observers bring to the site. Discussants included women from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Unity and Baha’i traditions, offering great diversity of sacred places and their connotations. To cap the afternoon, members of the group met at the Traffic Jam for an early dinner and socializing.

Please continue on to the next blog entry to view upcoming interfaith initiatives in Metro Detroit!!