The exhibition titled “An Invitation to Awe” at the Middlebury College Museum of Art explores the multifaceted nature of awe through various themes. Guest curator Katy Smith Abbott, along with nearly 70 students, created a diverse collection that includes exhibitions on the natural world, scientific discovery, and acts of humanity. The exhibit encourages a nuanced understanding of awe, relevant to contemporary issues.

Featured works include Yardena Gerwin’s podcast, “Witnessing Awe,” where Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow discusses the profound experience of confronting death. Another exhibit, “Arrival” by Lisa Reihana, portrays a Māori goddess guiding the dead, blending grief and spirituality.

The installation also includes harrowing images by Darren Ell, such as a mountain of life jackets symbolizing the refugee crisis. In the “Acts of Humanity” section, powerful pieces like the National AIDS Memorial Quilt and Jon Henry’s photograph of a grieving mother highlight social issues like gun violence and systemic racism.

Unique elements like “Awe of Sound” invite visitors to engage their auditory senses with interactive sculptures. The exhibit culminates with Dario Robleto’s film “Ancient Beacons Long for Notice,” which focuses on NASA’s Voyager missions and the Golden Record—a cosmic message containing a curated archive of Earth’s sounds and music.

Robleto’s work embodies the intersection of science and art, reflecting human fragility and aspiration. Overall, “An Invitation to Awe” serves as both a compelling artistic experience and a broader commentary on the human condition, allowing participants to explore the deeper meanings of awe in life.