The Wine of Dionysus
Banquets of Gods and Men in Basilicata

November 9 - December 19, 2000

Celebrations in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility and rebirth, were introduced to southern Italy by Greek traders and colonists several hundred years before the Roman Conquest, gradually becoming a part of the Greek - Italic culture of the Bascilicata region. Beautiful drinking vessels made of bronze, ceramics and other materials were often associated with these festivals and rites.

The Wine of Dionysus: Banquets of Gods and Men in Basilicata, an exhibition of 100 of these ancient objects of myth, ritual and celebration dating from the 8th through the 2nd centuries BC will be on display at Baruch College's Mishkin Gallery from Thursday, Nov. 9 through Tuesday, December 19. Opening reception, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6 - 8 pm. The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Region of Basilicata, Italy, and the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. Recently unearthed from burial mounds and other archaeological sites in Metaponto, Herakleia andother necropolises and habitations in the region, these splendid artifacts have never before been exhibited in the United States.

As Greek colonies were established in southern Italy, Dionysian drinking rites spread from the Greek aristocracy to the indigenous peoples of the Italian countryside. The consumption of wine took place at private drinking parties called "symposia," as well as at banquets to honor Dionysus. Poetry, music and uninhibited sexual high jinks often accompanied these ecstatic drinking bouts, though they never entirely lost their religious overtones. Drinking parties celebrated both life and death and often took place following funerals as well as other rituals central to community life.

Many of the drinking vessels used were elaborately decorated with geometric and floral designs, scenes from mythology, and depictions of the games of dexterity and skill that.were part of the recreational pastimes at these banquets and symposia. Decorative statuettes and cups in the form of drinking horns are also among the banquet accessories. Though most pieces are bronze or ceramic, iron, silver and terra cotta artifacts were also used and are included in this exhibition.

The Sidney Mishkin Gallery is located at Baruch College, 135 East 22 Street, New York City.
Gallery hours are:
Monday-Friday, 12 noon-5 p.m.
Thursdays, 12 noon-7 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public.

© 2000 Sidney Mishkin Gallery, Baruch College

Zane Berzins (news office)
(212) 802-2881
zberzins@newton.baruch.cuny.edu