Welcome to Vital Matters.

Welcome to Vital Matters.

Step into a world of different perspectives, where iconic works from UCLA’s Fowler Museum and beyond come to life.

Explore art, devotion, and practice through the voices of scholars, artists, curators, activists and spiritual practitioners, among others.

Discover how their insights on belief and materiality illuminate critical issues of our time—cultural heritage, public health, and environmental challenges.

Engage with matters of profound significance for our future.

Welcome to Vital Matters.

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ARTWORKS

FEATURED PERSPECTIVES

FEATURED PERSPECTIVES

FEATURED PERSPECTIVES

A close-up shot of Myrlande Constant's work "Haiti Madi 12 Janvye 2010." Intricate beadwork and sequins are carefully patterned to form cadavers, candles, and crucifixes.

TITLE

Candles for the Living and the Dead

SPEAKERS

Jerry Philogene

Katherine Smith

THEMES

Religious Beliefs and Devotional Practices

Autumn Breon sitting outside, smiling, gestiuring with her hands.

TITLE

Not Separate but Interrelated: Art, Creativity, and Activism

SPEAKERS

Autumn Breon

THEMES

Artists and Audiences

Social Justice and Activism

Marlon Martin outside wearing tshirt and traditional fabric

TITLE

The 25-year-long, Community-Driven Effort of SITMo (Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement) to Conserve and Strengthen Ifugao Heritage

SPEAKERS

Marlon Martin

THEMES

History, Politics, and Economics

Social Justice and Activism

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PERSPECTIVES

and their associated

THEMES

A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

People Behind the Perspectives

Listen to people whose lived experiences and expertise bring fresh meaning to each work. From religious and spiritual practitioners to curators, art historians, activists, community organizers, journalists, lawyers, and more, we invite you to engage with a wide range of insights.

Religious & Spiritual Practitioners
Priests, spiritual leaders, ritual specialists, faith-based educators…

Artists & Creatives
Visual artists, performers, writers, storytellers, designers…

Academics & Educators
Professors, curators, researchers, teachers, scholars…

Community Leaders
Activists, organizers, journalists, lawyers, cultural knowledge keepers…

People Behind the Perspectives

Listen to people whose lived experiences and expertise bring fresh meaning to each work. From religious and spiritual practitioners to curators, art historians, activists, community organizers, journalists, lawyers, and more, we invite you to engage with a wide range of insights.

Religious & Spiritual Practitioners
Priests, spiritual leaders, ritual specialists, faith-based educators…

Artists & Creatives
Visual artists, performers, writers, storytellers, designers…

Academics & Educators
Professors, curators, researchers, teachers, scholars…

Community Leaders
Activists, organizers, journalists, lawyers, cultural knowledge keepers…

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PEOPLE

Featured Experts

ABOUT VITAL MATTERS

ABOUT VITAL MATTERS

ABOUT VITAL MATTERS

Origins

Objectives

Significance of the title

Artworks

People

Perspectives

Themes

Sponsorship

What’s Next? University Partnerships

Project Team