India – The Living Arts: 301,000 delighted visitors
Silent Auction: $20,000 donated to the India Earthquake Relief FundHull (Quebec), February 22, 2001 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited are proud to donate the sum of $20,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Relief Fund for victims of the earthquake that occurred in India on January 26. A silent auction, held on February 15 and 16, in conjunction with the India - The Living Arts ( http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/traditio/inde/indinte.html )exhibition, was a great success, raising $10,000, which was doubled by the generous matching donation of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.
"We wish to thank all our visitors for their participation in the auction of art works and objects from the India - The Living Arts exhibition. The profits from the sale and the contribution by Fairfax Financial Holdings will, I hope, be supplemented by numerous other Canadian donations in aid of the victims of the Indian earthquake," said Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation President and CEO Dr. Victor Rabinovitch.
India - The Living Arts drew to a close on Sunday, February 18 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization with the joyous Holi Mela celebration and the sparkling Colours of India fashion show. Since its opening on May 4, 2000, the exhibition has drawn 301,000 people, and 100,000 took part in special programming surrounding the exhibition.
"Indian civilization has influenced the world of the arts, philosophy and culture for thousands of years. The numerous cultures of India we have ably shown are still alive and well, and this was confirmed during this exhibition," noted Dr. Rabinovitch. He added, "With more than 500 works of art and craft exhibited in a series of interactive environments, India - The Living Arts enabled visitors to expand their knowledge of the culture of the cities, villages, courtyards and homes of India."
157 people registered for the silent auction, and more than 100 came away with souvenirs of this marvelous exhibition. Almost all of the objects in the auction were sold, including a superb marble fountain, richly-coloured saris which were more than 100 years old, clay pots and glass lamps. The remaining pieces, including a loom, a wooden cradle and a magnificent nineteeth century door, are still for sale. Further information will be available in the near future on the Museum's Web site at: http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/cmceng/aucteng.html
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