"Ohhhmmmmm."
The ?? ?? ??? ??Sanskrit syllable recited by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and followers of Jainism around the world will be at the center of an immersive sensory experience at a museum in New York City in February.
The Rubin Museum of Art will transform its sixth floor into a participatory exhibit called the "Om Lab." Visitors will be able to record their own chant of the sacred syllable inside recording booths, with these sounds later layered, remixed and compiled into a single chant that will be played during the museum's "The World Is Sound" exhibit in June, according to a statement from the museum.
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“Inside the recording booth, you can tune in to this primordial sound, and tune in to yourself as well," said Jorrit Britschgi, co-curator and director of exhibitions, collections and research at the Rubin Museum, in the press release.
Om, a syllable drawn from Hindu scriptures, comes to life as a religious symbol for followers of faiths such as Hinduism and Jainism. It's found in other religions as well, often recited in religious chants and prayers and as part of practicing yoga.
In Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Hindus pray during a ritual ceremony at Parangkusumo Beach. The Om chant was originally drawn from Hindu scriptures and is found across different faiths. Credit: ulet ifansasti/ Getty Images The sacred sound has been around for thousands of years, and during that time, its harmony has tied together various faiths. Chanting it and embracing the sound as a full-body experience can bring higher feelings of connectedness, according to Risha Lee, the exhibition’s co-curator.
“Sound is not a passive experience. We make, feel, and interact with it through our bodies," Lee said. "Connecting with this elemental sound can build awareness and empathy for each other, and to emphasize this sensory experience, we want to make sure our visitors’ voices are included as part of the new exhibition opening in June."
The "Om Lab" exhibit will also feature an "Om-in," with music, performances, art-making and meditation on Feb. 24 and 25. The entire exhibit will run from Feb. 3 until May 8.