Explore the world without leaving Columbia at these exhibits

Columbians can do some international exploring this summer without pulling out a passport.

The Columbia Museum of Art has an exhibit by Pakistani artist Sana Arjumand, with events tied in. If you want to venture to India, the S.C. State Museum has an exhibit highlighting Indian Americans for the first half of the summer.

“The ‘Light Beings’ exhibition … gave us a great opportunity to showcase both South Asian culture and the Islamic world as a whole,” said Glenna Barlow, manager of engagement at the Columbia Museum of Art.

“To us, the ‘Light Beings’ exhibition allowed us to really celebrate these diverse cultural groups, particularly at a moment when there are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings about these communities. Art can be a gateway to better understanding and we hope this exhibition and programs outlined here will throw a spotlight on these beautiful cultural groups.”

Here is a peek at the exhibits that can give you a taste of international travel this summer, while giving your passport a rest:

‘Light Beings’

WHEN: On exhibit through Monday, Aug. 28

WHERE: Columbia Museum of Art

THE EVENT: Sana Arjumand is a contemporary visual artist from Pakistan who has shown extensively across the globe and in her home country. Her current body of work focuses on mysticism and spirituality, in which the bird has become a metaphoric symbol of energetic beings, suggesting the coexistence of higher dimensions. Her previous work has touched on a range of subjects such as gender politics, identity, and religion.

Dinner and Dialogue: Understanding Islam

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. discussion, 8:30 p.m. dinner Sunday, June 11

WHERE: Columbia Museum of Art

THE EVENT: A panel discussion and breaking of the daily Ramadan fast provide an opportunity to learn about the Muslim community and Islam. The event begins with a panel discussion featuring Akif Aydin of the Atlantic Institute, Imam Omar Shaheed from Masjid as-Salaam, and Noah Gardiner, assistant professor of religion at the University of South Carolina specializing in Islamic thought and culture.

Once the panel discussion has finished and the sun has set, attendees may gather and talk while enjoying cuisine from around the Islamic world provided by local restaurants.

“In celebration of our community gallery exhibition ‘Light Beings,’ we wanted to highlight some aspects of not just South Asian culture, but Islamic culture as a whole,” Barlow said. “The Islamic world is so rich and diverse, but unfortunately, many of us have a distorted view of what it means to be Muslim. With this discussion and the family-style dinner to follow, our aim is to address some pervasive misconceptions about a beautiful religion and multifaceted culture.”

The discussion is free. Dinner is $8 in advance, $12 at the door.

Bhangra Beats featuring DJ Rekha

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22

WHERE: Columbia Museum of Art

THE EVENT: New York’s DJ Rekha will spin some Punjabi sounds. DJ Rekha has pioneered merging bhangra and Bollywood sounds with contemporary electronic dance music and was named the “Ambassador of Bhangra” by the New York Times.

A folk dance from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, bhangra has gained popularity around the world and been fused with all styles of music.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing in DJ Rekha, who fuses music from the Punjab (a region including areas in both India and Pakistan) with contemporary Western music,” Barlow said. “Her music represents that cross-cultural dialogue that we’re trying to highlight.”

There will be a cash bar featuring Mango Maah-laqaa, a signature cocktail. The event is free for CMA members, $5 for others.

‘Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation’

WHEN: On exhibit now through Sunday, July 9

WHERE: S.C. State Museum

THE EVENT: This exhibit explores the Indian-American experience and the community’s political, professional, and cultural contributions to American life and history.

From the builders of some of America’s earliest railroads and farms to civil rights pioneers to digital technology entrepreneurs, Indian Americans have long been an inextricable part of American life. This exhibit explores the heritage, daily experience, and diverse contributions of Indian immigrants and their descendants in the United States through photography, narrative, multimedia, and interactive stations.

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Explore the world without leaving Columbia at these exhibits."