The Quiet in the Land

Ann Hamilton, <i>meditation boat</i>, 2008. Wood and metal. 118 ft, 1 in. (36m) long. Courtesy of the artist.

Ann Hamilton, meditation boat, 2008. Wood and metal. 118 ft, 1 in. (36m) long. Courtesy of the artist.(Thibault Jeanson)

Art, Spirituality, and Everyday Life—Luang Prabang, Laos

Writers, curators, and artists Carol Becker, Ann Hamilton, and France Morin reflect on the 4-year innovative project The Quiet in the Land in Luang Prabang, Laos. The project featured a group of prominent visual artists who worked with the local community to create artistic work that explores the impact of globalization on everyday life and contemporary art's potential to function as an agent of social transformation. For the artists, this journey was analogous to embarking on a pilgrimage... undertaking a journey of moral and spiritual significance that had a major impact on their work.

Like many communities around the world, Luang Prabang is striving to balance the economic opportunities brought by global tourism with the desire to preserve the very qualities that make it unique. The panelists discuss the project and its larger implications for the contemporary world. Moderated by Vishakha N.Desai, President, Asia Society.

Followed by a book signing. Books available at AsiaStore.org.

For more information about The Quiet in the Land, visit:
www.thequietintheland.org.

This event will also be a free live video webcast on AsiaSociety.org from 6:30 to 8:30 pm EST. Online viewers are encouraged to send questions to moderator@asiasoc.org.