The Rubin Museum (New York City) has an exhibition called Grain of Emptiness: Buddhism-Inspired Contemporary Art, on view through April 11.

One of the featured exhibits is Atta Kim’s dramatic 5 ½ feet tall, 1,300 pound ice sculpture of a seated Buddha.

The ice sculpture will remain on view until completely melted — a process that will take several days — with the melt-water collecting in a pool below.

As the work melts, visitors are encouraged to touch the ice and take away non-potable water from the pool on their way out of the museum, using small glass containers that are provided by the museum. The artist intends that the …