As families are decorating for the Christmas, one piece almost always on hand is the nativity scene, depicting the holy family of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Now, more than 100 crèches from around the world can be viewed at www.UDnativity.org.
Created by the University of Dayton, UDnativity.org showcases a portion of the University's 1,200 nativity scenes — among the largest collections in the country. One of the highlights of this year's exhibit is a collection of pueblo nativity sets created by artists from 19 New Mexico Mesa Indian villages, between Albuquerque and Taos. “Since the 1950s, the original production of pottery in New Mexico has evolved into the production of religious art statues, including nativity sets,” said Father Johann Roten, S.M., director of the University of Dayton's Marian Library and International Marian Research Institute. “There was a time when each village had its own style. For example, Taos art featured unpainted pottery using a lot of mica. Today, artists are more mobile and it's getting more difficult to make distinctions as styles merge together.”
Pueblo nativity sets are characterized by simple figures, a connection to the earth and solidarity with nature. “The only part of figures that is highly developed is the mouth and nose,” said Roten. “The nose is the connecting organ with nature — it's how we receive the breath of life and is a characteristic of living beings. Similarly, the open, rounded mouth speaks of food for life and also reflects the popular tradition of storytelling.”
Twelve pueblo nativity scenes will be on display at the Dayton (Ohio) Art Institute between Wednesday, November 24, 2004, and January 6, 2005. Samples can be viewed at www.UDnativity.org. Complete times and schedules are also on the website. Other crèches will be displayed at the University of Dayton's Marian Library (Dayton, Ohio), St. John Gallery at the Bergamo Center (Dayton, Ohio) and St. Peter in Chains Cathedral (Cincinnati, Ohio).
The University of Dayton's expansive collection represents 45 countries and includes styles and settings as diverse as the heritage, vision, and interpretation of the artists who created them. Some use earthen elements like cork, bamboo, and bone to create nativity figures; others use household items such as bread, wax, and clothespins to set the scene. Traditional mangers abound, but the Christ child can also be found in a forest, cave, and even a Swiss chalet.
The university set out to build a collection of varied cultural interpretations of the nativity in 1994. The undertaking, managed by the UD Marian Library's Crèches International committee, is designed to promote the study and understanding of culture and religion, as well as the Christmas story itself. In spite of its emergence in the Middle Ages, the nativity set did not become part of popular culture until the 17th and 18th centuries. The director of the collection says that over the centuries, figures were added and new stories interwoven with that of the birth of Christ.
“The message is that Christ is born for all for us, at any given time, no matter color or culture,” Roten said.
Exhibit Schedule
The University of Dayton Marian Library will exhibit more than 100 of its 1,200 crèches in four locations during the 2004 holiday season. Each venue will house different crèches, on display at the following locations, dates and times:
Marian Library
University of Dayton
7th floor of Roesch Library
300 College Park, Dayton, OH
(937) 229-4214
On display: Nov. 29, 2004, through Jan. 7, 2005
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Closed on Dec. 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31.
St. John Gallery at the Bergamo Center
4400 Shakertown Road, Dayton, OH
(937) 320-5405
On display: Nov. 28, 2004, to Jan. 5, 2005
Hours: Noon to 4 PM; Wednesday through Sunday or by appointment.
St. Peter in Chains Cathedral
325 W. 8th Street, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 421-5354
On display: Nov. 28, 2004, to Jan. 2, 2005
Hours: Weekdays: Noon to 2 PM Saturdays: 12:30 PM to 4 PM Sundays: Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 from 12:30 PM to 2 PM. All other Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5 PM. Special arrangements can be made for groups.
Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, OH
(937) 223-5277
On display: Wed., Nov. 24, 2004, through Jan. 6, 2005
Hours: 10 AM to 4 PM, including holidays; 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursdays.
(This article courtesy of the University of Dayton)
