Eternal Medium: Exploring Stone's Artistic Power at LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will present the captivating exhibition Eternal Medium: Seeing the World in Stone from August 20, 2023, to February 11, 2024, at the Resnick Pavilion. In collaboration with the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), this exhibition showcases 125 diverse works that highlight the imaginative interpretation of natural stone markings.

Eternal Medium juxtaposes stone creations with other mediums to offer context and comparisons. Divided into nine interconnected sections, the exhibition explores the origins of materials, the illusionistic interpretations achieved through stone carving, and the unique imagery inspired by natural stone markings.

Highlights include the Dagger of Emperor Aurangzeb, a remarkable specimen of nephrite jade from India's Mughal empire, and a snuffbox in the shape of a dog, displaying the ingenuity of Dresden's lapidary artists. Contemporary artists like Analia Saban, Alma Allen, and Ben Gaskell contribute recent works that push the boundaries of the medium.

Designed by Claus Benjamin Freyinger and Andrew Holder of The Los Angeles Design Group (LADG), the exhibition offers an immersive environment that enhances the viewing experience of these intricate artworks.

Eternal Medium: Seeing the World in Stone is a result of the LACMA/V&A Staff Exchange Program, made possible by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation. This collaboration fosters new approaches to research and enriches the museum experience.

Discover the power and beauty of stone as an artistic medium at LACMA's Eternal Medium exhibition, opening on August 20, 2023.

Credit: This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and presented by The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.