Warrington Gallery Proposal
Transcript of Warrington Gallery Proposal
The Reinterpretation of the Warrington The Reinterpretation of the Warrington Human History GalleryHuman History Gallery
PresentationPresentation
Kelly Edwards- IntroductionKelly Edwards- Introduction
Sally Purcell- HistorySally Purcell- History
Lucy Wiffen- EthicsLucy Wiffen- Ethics
Christelle Hyppolite- Display Case PanelChristelle Hyppolite- Display Case Panel
Group- Individual LabelsGroup- Individual Labels
Rachel Freundt- Alternative ImagesRachel Freundt- Alternative Images
Kelly Edwards-ConclusionKelly Edwards-Conclusion
IntroductionIntroduction
Warrington Human Warrington Human History Gallery TodayHistory Gallery Today
Exhibiting ‘other’ Exhibiting ‘other’ culturescultures
Re-interpreting the Re-interpreting the GalleryGallery
HistoryHistory
BeginningsBeginnings Display TechniquesDisplay Techniques Courting ControversyCourting Controversy
EthicsEthics
Conservation IssuesConservation Issues Ethics- Human Ethics- Human
RemainsRemains
Display Case PanelDisplay Case Panel
Label WritingLabel Writing Text PanelText Panel
Display and InterpretationDisplay and Interpretation
The Gallery was established in 1936 and has remained mainly untouched since then.The Gallery was established in 1936 and has remained mainly untouched since then.
This central display is part of a new project aiming to reinterpret it.This central display is part of a new project aiming to reinterpret it.
It presents a selection of artefacts from the Gallery. It presents a selection of artefacts from the Gallery.
Every three months new objects will be chosen to be reinterpreted. Every three months new objects will be chosen to be reinterpreted.
The aim of the project is to address contemporary issues The aim of the project is to address contemporary issues
concerning the objects and their displays, concerning the objects and their displays,
while preserving the historical value of the Gallery. while preserving the historical value of the Gallery.
This first selection of objects addresses the following issues: This first selection of objects addresses the following issues:
Are artefacts made for tourists, really representative of a culture? Are artefacts made for tourists, really representative of a culture?
Should human remains be displayed to the public?Should human remains be displayed to the public?
Should religious objects sacred to a culture be displayed? Should religious objects sacred to a culture be displayed?
Do these objects still have a significance for contemporaries societies? Do these objects still have a significance for contemporaries societies?
Press the green button to see the pictures around the Gallery showing a modernPress the green button to see the pictures around the Gallery showing a modern
perspective on world cultures.perspective on world cultures.
Objects selected for re-displayObjects selected for re-display
“Feejee Mermaid, a fake curiosity from Japan, 1880”
“Shrunken Head by the Macas Indians, Ecuador”
Objects selected for re-displayObjects selected for re-display
“Clay Shrine of a Buddah, Burmah, late nineteenth century”
“Plastercast of Maori (New Zealand Native)…shewing tattooing”
Objects selected for re-displayObjects selected for re-display
“Pocahontas, An Indian Princess, deer skin, 1890”
Example of proposed labelExample of proposed labelOriginal label:Original label:
A FEEJEE MERMAID.A FEEJEE MERMAID.
A grotesque human head on the bodyA grotesque human head on the bodyof a fish.of a fish.
A fake curiosity from Japan. c. 1880.A fake curiosity from Japan. c. 1880.
FEEJEE MERMAIDSFEEJEE MERMAIDS
Japan, c. 1880.Japan, c. 1880.
It is said in Japan that eating the flesh of aIt is said in Japan that eating the flesh of aMermaid can grant unaging immortality.Mermaid can grant unaging immortality.These Feejee Mermaids (also FijiThese Feejee Mermaids (also FijiMermaids) are Mermaids) are made from the body of fishmade from the body of fishwith a spiny dorsal fin and have monkey with a spiny dorsal fin and have monkey heads made from papier-mâché.heads made from papier-mâché.Traffic in artificial mermaids was a further Traffic in artificial mermaids was a further source of income for Japanese fishermen.source of income for Japanese fishermen.Many of these manufactured mermaidsMany of these manufactured mermaidswere presented at public shows in Europe were presented at public shows in Europe and the United States during the 18th andand the United States during the 18th and19th centuries.19th centuries.
Acc No. 1913.225.Acc No. 1913.225.
Example of proposed labelExample of proposed label
Original label:Original label:
Clay Shrine of Buddha Burmah, lateClay Shrine of Buddha Burmah, late
C19th. C19th.
Buddha is seated in gold coiledBuddha is seated in gold coiled
serpent decorated with colouredserpent decorated with coloured
glass.glass.
Burmah, late nineteenth century.Burmah, late nineteenth century.
The Buddha acts as a symbol for mediation inThe Buddha acts as a symbol for mediation in
the Buddhist faith. It is not meant to have anthe Buddhist faith. It is not meant to have an
aesthetic significance. The essentials ofaesthetic significance. The essentials of
Buddhism rest on the four noble truths,Buddhism rest on the four noble truths,
which recognise the struggle and suffering of which recognise the struggle and suffering of
every human experience. The picture shows aevery human experience. The picture shows a
meeting at the Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre inmeeting at the Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre in
Manchester. The centre celebrates its thirtiethManchester. The centre celebrates its thirtieth
anniversary this year. A forthcoming exhibition anniversary this year. A forthcoming exhibition
will explore Buddhism, its origins and impact, inwill explore Buddhism, its origins and impact, in
more depth.more depth.
Picture from BBC Manchester web page
Example of proposed labelExample of proposed labelOriginal label:Original label:
Pocahontas, An Indian Princess, deerPocahontas, An Indian Princess, deer
skin, 1890skin, 1890
Pocahontas was the daughter of chiefPocahontas was the daughter of chief
Powhatan. She saved Captain John Powhatan. She saved Captain John
Smith, an English settler, from death andSmith, an English settler, from death and
married another settler John Rolfe.married another settler John Rolfe.
Pocahontas died in England of small pox Pocahontas died in England of small pox
early in the seventeenth century. This early in the seventeenth century. This
portrait was painted on deer skin about portrait was painted on deer skin about
1890-probably to sell to tourists. She is 1890-probably to sell to tourists. She is
shown wearing a reversed swastika which shown wearing a reversed swastika which
many ancient civilizations used as a good many ancient civilizations used as a good
luck charm.luck charm.
Pocahontas portrait, 1890Pocahontas portrait, 1890
This painted portrait does not fit with theThis painted portrait does not fit with the
everyday items and traditional artwork in everyday items and traditional artwork in
the original case. A Native American the original case. A Native American
gentleman confirmed this is not a genuine gentleman confirmed this is not a genuine
cultural artefact, but part of the tourist cultural artefact, but part of the tourist
trade. The words “Seattle, WA” were trade. The words “Seattle, WA” were
written on the object with a poker. The written on the object with a poker. The
Pocahontas legend was used as material Pocahontas legend was used as material
for popular literature and theatrical for popular literature and theatrical
presentations throughout the nineteenth presentations throughout the nineteenth
century. Did the Anglo-American century. Did the Anglo-American
depictions of the romantic Indian influence depictions of the romantic Indian influence
this tourist collectable?this tourist collectable?
Example of proposed labelExample of proposed label
PLASTER CAST OF HEADPLASTER CAST OF HEADNew Zealand, 1854. New Zealand, 1854.
This cast was taken of a Maori man toThis cast was taken of a Maori man toshow his Moko (tattoo).Ta Moko is a show his Moko (tattoo).Ta Moko is a sacred act of ingraving the skin. sacred act of ingraving the skin. Each Moko is unique to the wearer. It Each Moko is unique to the wearer. It maps the person’s identity and maps the person’s identity and heritage.European travellers were heritage.European travellers were fascinated by the Maori’s tattoos. Not fascinated by the Maori’s tattoos. Not only plaster casts ended up in only plaster casts ended up in Western museums but also tattooed Western museums but also tattooed Maori heads or mokomokai.Do you Maori heads or mokomokai.Do you think that museums have the right to think that museums have the right to own these sacred Mokomokai?own these sacred Mokomokai?
Acc No. 25107. Acc No. 25107.
Original label:Original label:
Plastercast of Maori (New ZealandPlastercast of Maori (New Zealand
Native) from life, shewing tattooing. Native) from life, shewing tattooing.
Original taken at Rotoua, 1854, by Sir Original taken at Rotoua, 1854, by Sir
Geoffrey Grey. New Zealand.Geoffrey Grey. New Zealand.
Example of proposed labelExample of proposed label
Original label:Original label:
HUMAN HEAD. Skull removed, HUMAN HEAD. Skull removed,
And skin shrunk to about And skin shrunk to about
One quarter real size.One quarter real size.
Macas Indians, Ecuador, 163’05Macas Indians, Ecuador, 163’05
Shrunken HeadShrunken Head
Macas Indians EcuadorMacas Indians Ecuador
In many cultures the taking of humanIn many cultures the taking of human
heads from enemies has been socially heads from enemies has been socially
approved ritual with deep religious and approved ritual with deep religious and
cultural meanings.cultural meanings.
The act of taking and shrinking a head The act of taking and shrinking a head
was not seen as murder, but a method for was not seen as murder, but a method for
maintaining social order. maintaining social order.
Making a shrunken head, also known as a Making a shrunken head, also known as a
Tsantas, was accompanied by elaborate Tsantas, was accompanied by elaborate
ritual linking together enemies and the ritual linking together enemies and the
living and the dead through spirituality.living and the dead through spirituality.
Acc. No. 163’05Acc. No. 163’05
Alternative ImagesAlternative Images
Current picturesCurrent pictures Proposed changesProposed changes
Quote ???Quote ???
Picture from Japan news correspondentKjeld Duits’ website www.ikjeld.com
ConclusionConclusion