My sister, Turf Toter, and Farmer Tim came down for a visit this weekend. And they mentioned that they would like to revisit the Museum of Anthropology.
The University of British Columbia is rather famous for it's stunningly beautiful campus, and medical discoveries. But it is also home to the MOA, or the Museum of Anthropology. A massive building housing many valuable treasures from all over the world.
This includes many artifacts from our First Nations heritage. Every school child in the Lower Mainland has partaken in a field trip that included the museum at some time in their schooling.
Vague recollections of old stuffy rooms, with multiple drawers, giant totem poles, dugout canoes, and recorded rhythmic drumming live in my memory.
Well, maybe it wasn't all that bad.
But this time around when we went to visit it as adults, the visit was pleasant, informative, and actually fun. Notice that I say that with some surprise.
And they had a amazing gift shop.
Everything has gotten better with age, or maybe I have just learned to appreciate it a lot more, but what ever the reason, we had a wonderful time. And I am looking forward to seeing the new exhibits, when the multimillion dollar renovations are completed.
Well, maybe it wasn't all that bad.
But this time around when we went to visit it as adults, the visit was pleasant, informative, and actually fun. Notice that I say that with some surprise.
And they had a amazing gift shop.
Everything has gotten better with age, or maybe I have just learned to appreciate it a lot more, but what ever the reason, we had a wonderful time. And I am looking forward to seeing the new exhibits, when the multimillion dollar renovations are completed.
It looks like an interesting artsy fartsy kind of place! Hope you had a great visit with your sister! :0
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely photos - and such treasured cultural heritage!
ReplyDeleteJen I have always been fascinated by the Pacific Coast First Nations art works and YES ! it does get better and better with "age" : )
ReplyDeleteI could look at those pictures a long time : )
Joy
What beauty and artistry!
ReplyDeleteOh I remember supervising one of those field trips and I was so scared one of my charges would damage something that was a priceless artifact. You break it you buy it?
ReplyDeleteI suppose nothing that valuable was within reach. Didn't they recently have a bunch of pieces stolen?
Lori, yes they did have quite a few of Bill Reid's pieces stolen. As far as I know, some were recovered.
ReplyDeleteHe is a amazing artist, and the gold/silver jewelery is simply stunning.
Jen
When the top photo appeared on the screen I thought it was a Mediaeval wood carving of a man carrying a cross. The face is very expressive.
ReplyDeleteLucy
I know, what seemed like torture to me as a school child back then, would be quite interesting and informative today!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of history there, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of all the museums around here...lur Pacific Coast has a wonderful heritage! I'm glad you had a good time...I would love to see a museum again sometime soon.
ReplyDeletei'm glad that you got that first pic, i didn't realize how very cheeky he looks up close! and yes,you do take better pic's than me!
ReplyDelete