<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>By Meghan Higgins, <A href="http://www.thetartan.com/">www.thetartan.com</A>, November 16, 2006</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Hungary</SPAN></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=EN-US> -- The art of Hungarian Buddhist SI-LA-GI exhibit is open to <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Radford</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> Nov. 15 through Dec. 6 at the RU Art Museum on <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">East Main Street</st1:address></st1:Street>, Radford, according to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">International</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Education</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. The exhibit portrays various works of Buddhism culture on canvases and in photographs and film.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Dr. Preston Thayer, director of the museum, is in charge of all material that enters the museum.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"I became acquainted with his work while attending an international art exhibit in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Venice</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>, last year, and we invited [SI-LA-GI] to exhibit with us," Thayer said.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"His work creates tension between western art and eastern philosophy," Thayer said. "Western art always has content (tells a story), whereas Buddhist philosophy teaches that spiritual success is obtained only by emptying oneself of content."</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>Any kind of art form, whether it is painting or sculptures, can be a form of therapy or stress-reliever.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"From a Buddhist meditation point of view, artistic creation has no significance," said SI-LA-GI. "On the other hand, art is a kind of meditation for me."</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>In addition to his work with film, SI-LA-GI is also involved in photography.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"The task of a work of art is to emanate positive energy; to pull down walls; in certain cases to create firm spiritual foundations in others," SI-LA-GI said.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"Heart Sutra" is a 49-by-63-inch photograph that hangs on the right wall of the exhibit and is the last piece of his work shown in the exhibit. The Heart Sutra, a main Buddhist text, states that there is nothing that lies outside the five aggregates of human existence, which are form, feeling, volition, perception and consciousness.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>The display of each piece of art is individualistic. The description of each piece of art is written on what appears to be a large blackboard. A nude man stands in the bottom central area of the photograph. The text does not hide behind him, but instead continues to overlap his body.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"It's almost as if he is so totally enmeshed in the philosophy that he became part of it," Thayer said.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>The exhibit also holds a variety of different works done on paper. Marcel + Joseph 1 is done with light, paint, crayon, acrylic and spray. There are Buddhist words of wisdom, dualistic view and equanimity written on the canvas.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"We try to create a mix of art," Thayer said. "I think we've had a strong response overall."</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>In all, the exhibit holds three works on paper, two videos and six photographs. SI-LA-GI urges people to get a better understanding and appreciation of art by simply visiting the exhibit to experience something new.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US>"A list of exhibitions does not help understanding or appreciating art. One should seek references in one's own consciousness," SI-LA-GI said.</SPAN></P>
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