tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7920723001020621055.post2215341091148970012..comments2024-03-28T07:46:36.279-07:00Comments on On bounced rent cheques and teary-eyed excuses: Are these the new Jewish temples?B. Glen Rotchinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05815057617780242871noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7920723001020621055.post-39895788236767140272008-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:002008-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00James,I've been re-thinking that line over and ove...James,<BR/>I've been re-thinking that line over and over ever since I posted it. Something bothersome about it. And yes, I thought about the museum holdings of religious objects and icons. Does it secularize them? Well, in a word, yes. It recontextualizes them. Turns them from functional ritual objects into objet d'art to be observed for their purely artistic qualities, to be studies and contemplated as such (as opposed to objects meant to inspire the expereince of the Divine.) We go to synagogues/churches/mosques to explore what it means to be human via an encounter (and deepen our connection) with G-d. We go to museums to explore what it means to be human via an encounter (and deepen our connection) with civilization/humanity.<BR/>Thanks for your thoughtful comment.B. Glen Rotchinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05815057617780242871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7920723001020621055.post-77370167654121099472008-02-04T09:44:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:44:00.000-08:00"And why are there Jewish museums but not Roman Ca..."And why are there Jewish museums but not Roman Catholic museums?"<BR/><BR/>As an initial point of departure in this line of inquiry is to note that many of the world's great museums are distinguished by their holdings, especially their paintings, tapestries and reliquaries that come from the Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions -- think of all the Madonna and Child paintings that have been removed from churches for display in museums. Does displaying these works in museums "secularized" them? Are Jewish museums created to find meaning? Are they more about exploring meaning in museums than replacing temples?loveitallabovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07077130656271275582noreply@blogger.com