'Rituality': Escondido exhibition examines traditions in modern life

By: PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times | Wednesday, December 5, 2007 1:56 PM PST ∞

The timing of the exhibit "Rituality" couldn't have been better, according to San Diego State University professor Dr. Teri Sowell. Being close to Thanksgiving, an American ritual, brings the show's message closer to home.

"Ritual is really a complex topic, but an important one in our lives," said Sowell. "Sometimes we forget how important it is because it gives us a sense of community. In our modern, contemporary world, we often forget to slow down. Thanksgiving Day is one day to do that. We nurture our ties with each other through these kinds of events, such as birthdays, weddings and funerals.

"Without our rituals, we lose a part of us. We've become such a technologically isolated society that it's easy to miss those human moments. Humans crave social interaction."

This exhibit is the culmination of two years work with Sowell's students. She had been interested in having her students create a long-term project and one that taps into the roots of community seemed a perfect topic.

"There have been so many people involved in this exhibit," she said. "That it is a collective effort gives it balance. We tried to break it down to look at ritual in three ways. The first is how ritual helps us express our own identity, with clothes, styles, tattoos, etc. Then we looked at community and how ritual can give meaning to our lives. Then last, we looked at how ritual creates power, such as a teacher trying to impart knowledge."

Despite varying beliefs, cultures and times, ritual is universal in how it makes us connect and feel. The exhibit, which is a collaboration between SANA Art Foundation and SDSU, features the contemporary works of San Diego artists as well as traditional works from the Pacific Islands, Native North Americans and Africa.

"This show takes a global view in showing how all people need and are rewarded by rituals," she pointed out. "We wanted to look at American rituals but also at cultures around the world. It is easy to see rituals in African culture, but we don't always see that we have our rituals as well, such as gathering around the table for Hanukkah."

The juxtaposition of American rituals and those from other cultures allows the visitor to see the one major difference in our traditions.

"Americans celebrate privately, not publicly," she said. "Part of that is our fragmented society. That's why we don't always see it, but it doesn't make it any less important."

After seeing this exhibit, Sowell hopes that visitors return home with a greater appreciation for the emotional and societal benefits of ritual.

"I want people to cherish such rituals," she said. "I want them to see how much it can enrich a life. It's such a wonderful component that we don't seem to seek out enough."

"Rituality" is one of four exhibits on display through Jan. 27 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum. Also featured are "Niki de Saint Phalle: A Spiritual Path," "La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico," a collection of 54 paintings by Teresa Villegas, and "The Poetics of Myth," by San Diego artist Brad Burkhart.

"Rituality"

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays; through Jan. 27

Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido

Tickets: $5, adults; $4, seniors and active military; $3, students with ID; children under 12 are free

Info: (760) 839-4120

Web: www.artcenter.org/museum.htm