5 Photos that Capture “Sacred” Moments in Everyday Life

For the current exhibition, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge: Try To Altar Everything, the Rubin Museum has invited visitors to bring in their own small offering to contribute to the creation of a special on-site installation. Since the exhibition opened in March, Breyer P-Orridge has received hundreds of objects, which s/he has arranged and installed throughout the exhibition galleries. The installation brings together the concepts of devotion, exchange, and community which are at the heart of the artist’s multidisciplinary practice. Throughout the past few months, more than one thousand visitors have contributed various offerings that include toys, necklaces, keys, and coins.

Visitors were so engaged with the project that we decided to take to Instagram to give all Rubin fans, regardless of their location, an opportunity to join in. We asked followers to show us how an ordinary object has taken on a sacred meaning by posting a photo of their altered item and tagging @rubinmuseum with the hashtag #altareverything. Just like our on-site visitors who have contributed to the installation project, our Instagram participants have amazed us with their incredible objects and stories. Here are just a few of our favorite Instagram entries:

1)

@yesgoddess- ”Last #altareverything for@rubinmuseum - after a car accident I was in I created Galaxy, a unicorn to don my walker I needed in order to get around for a few months while bones healed - she was my trusty steed! I gave her a gold plaque for the wall once I could walk again”

2)

@giorgioxox- “Recognize my contribution to Try to Altar Everything by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge? @splitmewideopen #altareverything @splitmewideopen gave it to me years ago. It simbolizes an aspect of our friendship and the 1980s obsession to shrink things or make them gigantic. Being that it came from the Leatherman on Christopher Street it has a heavy gay cruising element, and it’s infused with powerful rock n roll energy from many, many, many nights out on the town and wild gigs with our band Split Me Wide Open.”

3)

@fiercely_calm- “I never really knew my grandmother, but I have this painting she made, “Parsnip III”. I don’t know why she painted humble parsnips…but I love that it reminds me of the brain and nervous system. When I look at it I am reminded of both my family lineage and connection to all living things, both my humanness and universality. #altareverything @rubinmuseum #nursingstudent”

4)

@psychickchild- “@rubinmuseum Comic book as sacred text. Traditionally comics have been relegated to the world of frivolous entertainment but Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles has taught me more about life, reality, magick, sex, death, love, art and fear than any book I’ve ever read. It’s the holy book I turn to in times of need or for inspiration. #altareverything #trytoaltareverything”

5)

@brian_paumier- “@rubinmuseum one of my most sacred objects while in Varanasi India was a Royal Enfield Classic 500. This machine was not only a vehicle for transportation but also a catalyst for self reflection. #altareverything #sacredspace #royalenfield @royalenfield #classic500 photo by @joaquintrujillo”

Feeling inspired by these submissions? There’s still time for you to enter!

Simply post a picture of your sacred object on Instagram with the tag @rubinmuseum and the hashtag #altareverything. Tell us about your object and you’ll be entered to win your own Genesis Breyer P-Orridge: Try to Altar Everything catalog