The Lentz Center for Asian Culture’s fall exhibition, “The Daily Arts of Bhutan” is a celebration of a gift of 50 items and 67 books to the Lentz Center. These gifts were given by UNL alumna Kay Kirby Dorji.

Dorji was a journalist with the Los Angeles Times and now works for the United Nations. Her work gives her opportunities to travel to exotic locations. Dorji makes her home in Bhutan when not on assignment. The exhibition is dedicated to her late husband and her parents. Her father was a faculty member at UNL.

The exhibit, which opened Sept. 5, is on display through Dec. 14.

The gift to the center includes textiles, jewelry, ritual items and some everyday items as well. Textiles are the most important art form in Bhutan and are only produced by women. They are used as trade items and international gifts as well as local uses. The weaving is done on backstrap looms and occasionally on looms with treadles or card looms. Bhutanese men and women are required to wear their woven national dress in public.

The most valued stones in Bhutan are coral, amber and Dzi stones. Dzi stones are thought to be ancient agates which are etched with patterns and they are thought to have strong protective powers. Eleven necklaces are on display.

Also included are 26 pieces of amber that make up the decoration on Tibetan headdresses. Tibet and Bhutan share art forms.

Ritual objects such as a thighbone trumpet – used to terrify demons and please some deities – are on exhibition.

For more information, go to www.unl.edu/lentz or call 472-5841.

— Photos by Troy Fedderson/University Communications