New York City’s Rubin Museum of Art is currently showing two fascinating exhibits from the exotic & troubled Kingdom of Nepal. From the Land of the Gods: Art of the Kathmandu Valley presents highlights of the Rubin’s collection of Nepalese artifacts spanning over 1000 years and straddling the Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions which dominate the region.

Nepal in Black & White: Photographs of Kevin Bubriskie showcases a small portion of images from 35 years of visits to the remote Himalayan country. Bubriskie, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal in the 1970’s , returned to the country in 1984 to further document a way of life he felt slipping away. In his words:

“The realization that not only my camera but also the modern world was making ever-increasing intrusions into even the most remote areas of Nepal compelled me to document a time and way of life slipping inexorably into the past.”

You can in improving the lives of Nepalese who have been enduring years of civil war and unrest by learning more about Nepal School Projects. This Ontario based NGO helps fund education and safe dirnking water projects throughout Nepal.

From the Land of the Gods: Art of the Kathmandu Valley

March 14 - November 10, 2008

Nepal in Black & White: Photographs of Kevin Bubriskie

March 14 - October 13, 2008

Rubin Museum of Art

150 West 17th Street

New York, NY 10011