Lentz Center exhibit celebrates alumna's travels, Bhutan

The Lentz Center for Asian Culture's fall exhibition, "The Daily Arts of Bhutan" is a celebration of a gift of 50 items and 67 books to the Lentz Center. These gifts were given by University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumna Kay Kirby Dorji.

Dorji was an outstanding journalist with the Los Angeles Times and now works for the United Nations. Her work gives her many opportunities to travel to exotic locations. Dorji makes her home in Bhutan when she is not on assignment, and she planned to visit the opening celebration and speak on Sept. 5. The exhibition is dedicated to her late husband and her parents. Her father was a faculty member at UNL.

The gift to the center includes textiles, jewelry, ritual items and some everyday items as well. Textiles are the most important art form in Bhutan and are only produced by women. They are used as trade items and international gifts as well as local uses. The weaving is done on backstrap looms and occasionally on looms with treadles or card looms. Bhutanese men and women are required to wear their woven national dress in public.

The most valued stones in Bhutan are coral, amber and Dzi stones. Dzi stones are thought to be ancient agates which are etched with patterns and they are thought to have strong protective powers. Eleven necklaces will be on display.

Also included are 26 pieces of amber that make up the decoration on Tibetan headdresses. Tibet and Bhutan have many arts in common.

Ritual objects such as a thighbone trumpet used to terrify demons but whose sounds pleases some deities will be on exhibition. The Buddhism practiced in Bhutan is an Esoteric form called Vajrayana. It is named after the vajra, an instrument used in Esoteric Buddhist ceremonies.

The exhibition will last through Dec. 14. The Lentz Center for Asian Culture is dedicated to the enrichment of knowledge and understanding of Asia and is the only museum in Nebraska devoted solely to Asian art. Its unique collection provides an opportunity for enhancing instructional programs on the UNL campus, as well as enriching the cultural environment of the citizens of the state of Nebraska. It embodies the university's commitment to fostering multicultural understanding through an appreciation of Asian cultures. For more information, telephone (402) 472-5841 or visit Lentz on the web.