MERGING INTO TANTRIC ONENESS: ‘TWO VIEWS’

A panel discussion on “Two Views of Contemporary Indian Art: The Collector and The Artist” (today at 3 p.m. in Dickson Auditorium at UCLA) introduces an exhibition of Neo-Tantra art at UCLA’s Frederick S. Wight Gallery. Panel participants include Chester Herwitz, an art collector and lender to the exhibition; painter and UCLA art professor Lee Mullican and gallery director Edith Tonelli.

The exhibition, “Neo-Tantra: Contemporary Indian Painting Inspired by Tradition” (Tuesday through Feb. 2), consists of about 90 works by eight artists, co-organized by Mullican and Tonelli.

The ancient Tantra philosophy of India conceives of life as a struggle between positive and negative energy currents. By surrendering the self and yielding to the supreme energy governing the universe, one can resolve the struggle and achieve unity. Tantric philosophy has traditionally used the visual arts to focus on this energy; brilliant colors and geometric symbols became symbols to depict the wholeness of the cosmos, with polar opposites shown as merging into oneness.

“Tantra combines eroticism, mathematics, magic and metaphysics,” Mullican says. “In Neo-Tantra art, the traditional symbols are intermingled with concepts derived from modern Western art which were, in many cases, drawn from ancient systems such as Tantra. . . . In Tantric art, the square, the circle, the triangle all had specific meanings; the triangle pointing down, for instance, stands for the female; pointing up, for the male. Combined, they create stars, the metaphysical cosmic embodiment of the creative sexual activity of the universe. Now the cycle is complete, as Indian artists like the ones in this exhibition are rediscovering their own tradition.”

The exhibiting painters are among India’s most talented artists. While working in predominantly abstract or geometric styles, they differ markedly in approach and iconography.

A monumental kinetic sculpture by George Rickey, recently installed in the Marvin and Sondra Smalley Sculpture Garden of the University of Judaism, will be formally dedicated today. Rickey and his wife will attend the ceremony at 15600 Mulholland Drive. Information: (213) 476-9777 or 879-4114, Ext. 276.

The work, one of an edition of three called the “Holocaust Trilogy,” is titled “Two Open Triangles Up Gyratory II.”

The San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts is hosting a retrospective exhibition, “Max Yavno: Poetry and Clarity,” presenting the works of the artist who died in Los Angeles early this year. The show includes 150 prints spanning more than 40 years of work.

Born in New York in 1921, Yavno worked his way through college and several years of graduate studies in the social sciences. In the 1940s he became a photographer for the Work Progress Administration and acted as president of the controversial, politically radical Photo League. In 1942 he became a U.S. Army photographer and moved to the West Coast upon his discharge in 1945. Significant recognition came when Edward Steichen acquired 20 of his prints for the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 1952.

Ben Maddow, a lifelong friend, writer and photographer, will provide an appreciation of the artist in a lecture titled “Max Yavno: Man Behind the Camera” on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Natural History Museum Auditorium, San Diego. Information: (619) 239-5262.

The Graphic Arts Council of the County Museum of Art has awarded its 1985-86 print commission to Charles Arnoldi. The artist produced 35 monoprints; all of them were sold to members of the council.

Proceeds will fund future acquisitions for the museum’s department of prints and drawings.

Los Angeles painter Richard Diebenkorn and journalist/historian Harrison Salisbury were recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

The honor is limited to 50 persons chosen for special distinction from the 250 members of the parent body, the National Institute of Arts and Letters. What distinguishes recognition by this body from other award-giving organizations is that recipients are chosen by their peers.

USC’s Fisher Gallery has a new exhibition of works exploring different aspects of art by three Los Angeles artists: an installation by Peter Lodato, paintings and monotypes by Peter Liashkov and mixed-media monoprints on photographic paper by Susan Rankaitis.

Trevor Norris acted as guest curator. The show opens Wednesday and continues through Jan. 21. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; closed Christmas through New Year’s Day.

“British Narrative Drawings and Watercolors From the Huntington Collection” goes on exhibition in the Huntington’s Virginia Steele Scott Changing Exhibitions Gallery, Tuesday through March 30.

The works, late 17th Century to late 19th Century, are by 40 different artists; a catalogue is available.