Arab American National Museum Exhibit Looks at Orthodox Religion

posted on: Apr 13, 2014

Looking for something spiritual this Easter season? Consider dropping in Arab American National Museum and taking a tour of one of its newest exhibits: Sacred Scenes: Icons of the Orthodox Church.

The exhibit features the work of relgious icon artist Vlasios Tsotsonis.

Visitors will see several original, large-scale pieces by the artist, both paintings and mosaics/marquetry, as well as a series of works on clear acrylic depicting Angels of Peace. Most of the acrylic pieces on display comprised an important presentation of Greek culture at the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens, while others were created for use in chapels and at home. The exhibition includes video updates on Tsotsonis’ current efforts at the Basilica of St. Mary’s, and also explores the establishment and growth of Arab American Orthodox communities.

“This is sacred art even for people not of the same faith,” said the AANM’s researcher Matthew Stiffler. “It is a window into how other people believe.”

And that is part of why Stiffler says the exhibit touches so many people and explains why a “Christian” exhibit is on display in an Arab-American museum

He said about 50 percent of Arab Americans are Christian, and about half of those people are Orthodox Christians.

The exhibit, which is open until June 1, features 30 different pieces, is also known for its colorfulness.

“It’s so vibrant, it just jumps right out at you visually,” Stiffler said.

Stiffler said it took Tsontsinos and his entourage about three days to assemble the artwork, which was shipped from Greece to Dearborn.

According to the guest book, visitors to the exhibit have been particularly fond of the mosaic work Tsontsonis included.

Thousands of visitors have come through already, and at least as many more are expected while the exhibit is in Dearborn.

Tsotsinos is currently working in the United States. He is painting the dome at St. Mary’s Basilica in Livonia. The project is expected to be complete in May. The church is home to his first work in the U.S. His artwork can also be found at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores.

Around the world, Tstosinos’ work can be found in many places, including Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Jodi Rempala
Press & Guide Newspapers