Rubin Museum of Art

Mandala LabWhere Emotions Can Turn to Wisdom

October 1, 2021–October 6, 2024
Rubin Museum
150 W. 17th St., NYC

An Interactive Space for Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning

The Mandala Lab, located on the Museum’s remodeled third floor, invites curiosity about our emotions. Consider how complex feelings show up in your everyday life and imagine how you might have the power to transform them.

Inspired by powerful Buddhist principles, the Mandala Lab features five thought-provoking, playful experiences—including videos, scents, sculpture, and curated percussion instruments—that guide you along an inner journey focused on self-awareness and awareness of others. See, smell, touch, and breathe your way through the space, designed to inspire connection, empathy, and learning.

The Mandala Lab includes artist contributions from:

  • Laurie Anderson
  • Sanford Biggers
  • Tenzin Tsetan Choklay
  • Billy Cobham
  • Amit Dutta
  • Sheila E.
  • Peter Gabriel
  • Dame Evelyn Glennie
  • Sarah Hennies
  • Huang Ruo
  • Shivamani
  • Wang Yahui
  • Palden Weinreb
  • Apichatpong Weerasethakul
  • Bora Yoon
  • Scents created by Christophe Laudamiel
  • Select gongs manufactured by Ryan Shelledy or Matt Nolan, UK

About Mandalas and Emotions

Mandalas are Buddhist teaching tools that can be used to learn how to confront and transform feelings of pride, attachment, envy, anger, and ignorance. Known as kleshas in Buddhism, these five afflictive emotions cloud our understanding of the world. Through a deep, sustained investigation of these emotions, some Buddhist practitioners cultivate corresponding wisdoms and skills that help them shift their view of the world, themselves, and others. Each activity on the floor is designed to help you examine these specific emotional states.

A Space for Visitors of All Ages

The Mandala Lab welcomes guests of all ages. Stress, difficult emotions, and change occur at all stages of our lives and impact the way we view ourselves, one another, and the world around us. In the Mandala Lab, the Rubin offers a range of emotional literacy programs for adults, families, students, educators, and more that build emotional intelligence so we can all better navigate our lives.

Exhibition Audio Guide

CuratorCurator

headshot of Tim McHenry

Tim McHenry is a founding Rubin staff member and was in charge of programs at the Museum for its first 20 years. He specializes in art-contextual experiences that break the traditional mold, presenting audiences with what the Huffington Post has called “some of the most original and inspired programs on the arts and consciousness in New York City.”

McHenry’s public programs have explored the wider significance of the Rubin’s objects and collection of Himalayan art through music, film, performance, immersive engagements, and intimate conversations. He is the curator of the Mandala Lab, an interactive installation that was on view at the Rubin in New York City from 2021 to 2024. A traveling version went to Bilbao, London, and Milan.

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