The Charles Lang Freer House will present, "Heels over Head: Mr. Freer, Swami Vivekananda and the Art of Yoga," at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at the Detroit Institute of Arts in the Danto Lecture Hall. The lecture will offer a sneak preview of Yoga: The Art of Transformation, opening this fall at the Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington, D.C. The lecture is free with DIA admission.
Curator Debra Diamond of the Smithsonian Institution will explore the unexpected connections linking a 10th century sculpture of a fierce yogini from the DIA's collection, Thomas Edison's film Hindoo Fakir, and Swami Vivekananda's visit to Detroit and Charles L. Freer's home in 1894.
Yoga: The Art of Transformation is the world’s first exhibition about yoga’s visual history. Sculptures and paintings ranging from the 3rd to the 18th centuries will be juxtaposed with modern photographs, books and films. Highlights include three monumental stone yogini goddesses from a 10th century Chola temple reunited for the first time, 10 folios (17th century) from the first illustrated compilation of asanas (yogic postures), and Hindoo Fakir, the first movie produced about India.
Following the lecture, the Freer House will host a reception and tour from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The cost is $10 for non-members and $5 for students and Freer House members.
For more information, download the event flyer or call 313-664-2509.
The event is sponsored by Wayne State University, the Americana Foundation, Asian & Islamic Art Forum/DIA, Detroit Creative Corridor Center, miindia.com, YogaShelter, WISDOM, Rangoli Restaurant, MAPI Auxillary, Blossoms Birmingham, and Dr. and Mrs. Madhu Prasad.
PHOTO: Yogini, Unknown artist, Indian; 10th century; granite. Founders Society Purchase. Detroit Institute of Arts.