Thurday's Library discussion was very interesting. The discussion was about libaries and Archieves and how they shape the way that information is distrbuted to visitors. During this discussion there were many important points bought up about the changes in libaries and museums and how they interact in the public realm. Museums have changed a lot from how they used to be there is a lot o interactivity which has changed the landscape of museums today. The job of the curator has changed in museums as well. Curators are diferent than they used to be, this changes is also coupled with the fact designers are influential in musuems.
The speaker Steven Lunbar was the speaker at Library. Lunbar was asked what was harder in his long successful career which included working at the Smithsonian or teaching at Brown. He claimed that teaching at Brown is actually harder. When asked why he was able to explain that teaching is harder. While teaching h feels it is best to for his students to work in groups, present a exhibition to the public, set expectations and teaching well.
Lunbar's biggest failure he said was a project he worked that was never completed. The premise of the project was explaining the lagacy of museums to the world. Lunbar that this idea would be useful to explain how to use a museum and what types of things museums have and how to view them. Part of the reason why it did not happpen was because the staff had a hard time deciding on the important of objects that would be displayed. Although the project was not completed there was a book written about the topic.
Museums have many challenges in the future. Most of their challenges stem from how to get funding that is needed to do interesting projects to keep visitors coming. Lunbar discussed two interesting museums as a mode for how to be bold, challenging and relivant in the museum space as time changes. Lunbar discussed Eastern State Penitentary. Eastern State Pentitentary according to Lunbar is a good model of how museums must be bold and different to get funding. Wagner Free Museum was his other example he spoke about how the Wagner Free Museum still was relivant today but fufilling the mission they started so many years ago by keeping hisotry and education a key element in its mission today. In tihs instance it worked again.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What is America Mean to me Response
In response to essays about What American Means to Me? I was very interested but not at all surprised by most of your responses that spoke about race, poverty, diversity, icons and pop culture in America. I have to say that many of your statements are true and others have understandable arguments that validate them to many audiences. At the end of the day I would say America means more that I can even put into words on so many levels but I am going to do my best to address the most prevalent topics proposed in your essays.
To me America is simply home. I was born here into a country that is just as powerful as it has been shameful at moments. America has a past deeply rooted in oppression and racism. America was once a country that survived purely on the backs of slaves. Slavery is probably one of the most horrible shameful atrocities that can happen to a people. Yes, African Americans were snatched from their homes and transplanted into a country that valued them as less than human but it is our history. We may not be proud of it but all nations even those great and strong make mistakes. We have seen oppression and racism in other parts of the world. For Example the Jewish Holocaust. Many Jewish people were tortured and killed simply because they were Jewish. No, it wasn't right but it is the history of our world.
Many people think of Americans as over the top. People perceive Americans as the super rich, materialistic and selfish and it some ways I agree. America is a society based solely on the individual ,most people think about themselves but there are those instances of people who really cares about their communities and how to help people be better. America is one of the very few countries where you can be born dirt poor and truly grow up to be anything you want to be. I think that's why people come here they want to take advantage of the opportunities America has to offer, often sadly as Americans we do not always take advantage of the opportunities we have here.
Popular culture often feeds into the myths about American Culture. Someone mentioned in their essays the O.C. , The Hills and Gossip girls shows like that are not even realistic to most Americans. I mean they don't appeal to me. Shows like them only portray a particular segment of American culture. Most people do not live by the beach and driving flashy cars and gossip all day. Most people in America are middle class hard working people who have families to provide for. There are places in America I am even afraid to go but you would never see them on TV because its just not part of are global image. After the economic turn America has experienced things are changing people who were once gainful employed are losing their homes and jobs. As a result the middle class is shrinking and poverty is growing. There is a lot to be done to climb out of the rut that Americans have dug for themselves but we know we will be okay America has been tough times before and excelled and that is a major part of why we are one of the most powerful nations that ever stood on this earth.
America is iconic. You all seemed to know so much about America. Many of you spoke about Disney and Hollywood films you saw in your youth. Those films are just as iconic to many of us. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a Disney princess like many of you. Disney sells the fairy tale fantasy world that is truly unique and magical. Much like the American dream that is not only a dream for other all around the world but for Americans. We as Americans are constantly trying hard to reach levels of success that for many just won't be attainable.
America is changing daily as a result of the economy, race relations and diversity. Today all American are treated equally theoretically. So yes, it is not perfect but yes it is better. I feel like progress is often a slow process and over time America will grow stronger as the economy and race relations approve. America is different that it was when I was a little girl and the America my children experience will probably differ from my America but I can't think of another place I rather be.
Reading my response may make you think you know me as a American but like I said before America is complicated. I am not making excuses I am just seeing America as a work in progress. I want America to be the best I want my children to have a good life here, like I said before this is home. Am I patriotic? maybe never really thought about it. Do I love me country? Yes but does my country make mistakes? sure. I have a very complex relationship with the America I grew up in but at the end of the day I am proud to be African American women hoping to support my countries in its efforts to be a better America.
To me America is simply home. I was born here into a country that is just as powerful as it has been shameful at moments. America has a past deeply rooted in oppression and racism. America was once a country that survived purely on the backs of slaves. Slavery is probably one of the most horrible shameful atrocities that can happen to a people. Yes, African Americans were snatched from their homes and transplanted into a country that valued them as less than human but it is our history. We may not be proud of it but all nations even those great and strong make mistakes. We have seen oppression and racism in other parts of the world. For Example the Jewish Holocaust. Many Jewish people were tortured and killed simply because they were Jewish. No, it wasn't right but it is the history of our world.
Many people think of Americans as over the top. People perceive Americans as the super rich, materialistic and selfish and it some ways I agree. America is a society based solely on the individual ,most people think about themselves but there are those instances of people who really cares about their communities and how to help people be better. America is one of the very few countries where you can be born dirt poor and truly grow up to be anything you want to be. I think that's why people come here they want to take advantage of the opportunities America has to offer, often sadly as Americans we do not always take advantage of the opportunities we have here.
Popular culture often feeds into the myths about American Culture. Someone mentioned in their essays the O.C. , The Hills and Gossip girls shows like that are not even realistic to most Americans. I mean they don't appeal to me. Shows like them only portray a particular segment of American culture. Most people do not live by the beach and driving flashy cars and gossip all day. Most people in America are middle class hard working people who have families to provide for. There are places in America I am even afraid to go but you would never see them on TV because its just not part of are global image. After the economic turn America has experienced things are changing people who were once gainful employed are losing their homes and jobs. As a result the middle class is shrinking and poverty is growing. There is a lot to be done to climb out of the rut that Americans have dug for themselves but we know we will be okay America has been tough times before and excelled and that is a major part of why we are one of the most powerful nations that ever stood on this earth.
America is iconic. You all seemed to know so much about America. Many of you spoke about Disney and Hollywood films you saw in your youth. Those films are just as iconic to many of us. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a Disney princess like many of you. Disney sells the fairy tale fantasy world that is truly unique and magical. Much like the American dream that is not only a dream for other all around the world but for Americans. We as Americans are constantly trying hard to reach levels of success that for many just won't be attainable.
America is changing daily as a result of the economy, race relations and diversity. Today all American are treated equally theoretically. So yes, it is not perfect but yes it is better. I feel like progress is often a slow process and over time America will grow stronger as the economy and race relations approve. America is different that it was when I was a little girl and the America my children experience will probably differ from my America but I can't think of another place I rather be.
Reading my response may make you think you know me as a American but like I said before America is complicated. I am not making excuses I am just seeing America as a work in progress. I want America to be the best I want my children to have a good life here, like I said before this is home. Am I patriotic? maybe never really thought about it. Do I love me country? Yes but does my country make mistakes? sure. I have a very complex relationship with the America I grew up in but at the end of the day I am proud to be African American women hoping to support my countries in its efforts to be a better America.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Mutter
The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia is definitely one of the most interesting museums I have ever been too. It is really different. The Mutter museum holds many actual specimens from the 1800s. Much of the collection was donated by Dr. Mutter shortly before his death. The Mutter today is affiliated with the University of Physicians but open to the public. The Mutter receives about 100,000 visitors per year and continues to be one of Philadelphia's best kept secrets.
The Mutter is a museum is a type of museum that is set up as a achieve. Originally the Mutter was a place where Doctors and students came to study conditions and specimens to learn how to be more familiar with medicine and treatment of patients. There are several real specimens such as the collections of skeletons, there are liquid specimens and others that are unreal replicas often made of wax. Today the Mutter is a museum where people come to see these interesting exhibits that are quite unlike any other they have seen prior.
I was really interested in a few of the exhibits at The Mutter. I really liked the story about the twin brothers were conjoined twins in the 1800s. It was a interesting exhibit and story about how they decided to live their life and make the best of a difficult situation but the really weird part was when we found out that after the brothers both died they were joined by their liver and could have been easily separated today. The really odd part is that The Mutter still has their original livers and its part of the display. It was disturbing but yet intriguing. I think that is the exact feeling the Mutter is trying to achieve. They often display things that are weird or different but yet interesting. Visitors are so interested in the displays although it is really odd.
I think the Mutter is a good example of a archive museum. It is almost like a history of conditions that afflict humans through time. I am not sure if people come there really for the educational value although there definitely is some, I think its a lot more of the shock value. I think the Mutter is one of those places you hear a lot of things about and when you go there your kind of not sure what to expect but I left feeling pretty good about it. I personally heard prior to our visit that the Mutter was a very disturbing place due to the natural of some of the displays and stories but I really wasn't grossed out. I just thought it was a acquired taste, everyone wouldn't like it but to those who are interested its a great experience.
The Mutter is a museum is a type of museum that is set up as a achieve. Originally the Mutter was a place where Doctors and students came to study conditions and specimens to learn how to be more familiar with medicine and treatment of patients. There are several real specimens such as the collections of skeletons, there are liquid specimens and others that are unreal replicas often made of wax. Today the Mutter is a museum where people come to see these interesting exhibits that are quite unlike any other they have seen prior.
I was really interested in a few of the exhibits at The Mutter. I really liked the story about the twin brothers were conjoined twins in the 1800s. It was a interesting exhibit and story about how they decided to live their life and make the best of a difficult situation but the really weird part was when we found out that after the brothers both died they were joined by their liver and could have been easily separated today. The really odd part is that The Mutter still has their original livers and its part of the display. It was disturbing but yet intriguing. I think that is the exact feeling the Mutter is trying to achieve. They often display things that are weird or different but yet interesting. Visitors are so interested in the displays although it is really odd.
I think the Mutter is a good example of a archive museum. It is almost like a history of conditions that afflict humans through time. I am not sure if people come there really for the educational value although there definitely is some, I think its a lot more of the shock value. I think the Mutter is one of those places you hear a lot of things about and when you go there your kind of not sure what to expect but I left feeling pretty good about it. I personally heard prior to our visit that the Mutter was a very disturbing place due to the natural of some of the displays and stories but I really wasn't grossed out. I just thought it was a acquired taste, everyone wouldn't like it but to those who are interested its a great experience.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Eastern State Penitentiary
Yesterday was the perfect rainy day to explore Eastern State Penitentiary. Eastern State Penitentiary was a working prison from 1826 to 1971. Part of the time the prison worked on the Quaker religious model of solitude and penance for your mistakes. The hope was this would cause prisoners to take a good hard look at their life and choose to reform. In less that 5 years later that model was reformed and by 1913 it Eastern State was just like any other prison across the country.
As you entry Eastern State there is wierd feeling you are instantly bombarded with reminder of what a huge massive prison this was at it's creation and over time. Eastern State Penitentiary was the first of its kind there was no prison like this before to house inmates over long periods of time. There began to be a great need for a institute like this. At its original construction Eastern State could hold only 450 inmates soon Eastern State was doubling and tripling its capacity. At the time of its closure they were at 5 times the capacity.
Eastern State Penitentiary is open as a experiential museum or at least thats what I thought ans still believe it to be. Linda who spoke with us at the museum told us she feels that Eastern State Penitentiary is not a museum but a historical site. I understood her reasoning but yet disagree. I think that a museum is such a broad term as we have learned over the semester almost anything could be like a museum depending on who you ask. For example earlier in the semester we learned about cabinets and how they were collections of things that people came to see, they were some of the very first modes of museums and display. I think there are several reasons why Eastern State is a museum. 1. Eastern State is a place of learning, there is a commodity being sold to the visitor. 2. It is a place that is in demand, people want to go there because they see it as a important part of history. 3. It is public and supported by tourism, this is how most museums are supported.
Eastern State as a experiential museum is important. I think you get a authentic experience there that is different than all the other museums we have visited thus far this semester. You get a experience that can not be duplicated. For example getting to walk down the cell blocks and see the actual cells that were home to man inmates over Eastern State's long history is a type of experience that means so much more that seeing artifacts behind a display we can't touch, or dioramas of prisoners in cells. I would venture to say this is one of the most powerful was to teach a audience knowledge in such a historical and meaningful site.
I really enjoyed museum visit Thursday. Ii was actually one of my favorite museum tours so far despite the weather. I thought it was a excellent tour and guide. Nick was very knowledgeable about the site and its history which is also a important aspect of the experience. I think that Eastern State meets and goes beyond my requirements for a museum because I felt the truth was being told on many accounts which is also a important factor in museums and he authenticity of the experience. In addition I felt like it was engaging and as interactive as it could be by allowing cell blocks to be open for people to walk through and certain actual cells being open as well. Overall I felt the tour provided the appropriate level of knowledge and engagement to the visitor. I would definitely be open to visiting again.
As you entry Eastern State there is wierd feeling you are instantly bombarded with reminder of what a huge massive prison this was at it's creation and over time. Eastern State Penitentiary was the first of its kind there was no prison like this before to house inmates over long periods of time. There began to be a great need for a institute like this. At its original construction Eastern State could hold only 450 inmates soon Eastern State was doubling and tripling its capacity. At the time of its closure they were at 5 times the capacity.
Eastern State Penitentiary is open as a experiential museum or at least thats what I thought ans still believe it to be. Linda who spoke with us at the museum told us she feels that Eastern State Penitentiary is not a museum but a historical site. I understood her reasoning but yet disagree. I think that a museum is such a broad term as we have learned over the semester almost anything could be like a museum depending on who you ask. For example earlier in the semester we learned about cabinets and how they were collections of things that people came to see, they were some of the very first modes of museums and display. I think there are several reasons why Eastern State is a museum. 1. Eastern State is a place of learning, there is a commodity being sold to the visitor. 2. It is a place that is in demand, people want to go there because they see it as a important part of history. 3. It is public and supported by tourism, this is how most museums are supported.
Eastern State as a experiential museum is important. I think you get a authentic experience there that is different than all the other museums we have visited thus far this semester. You get a experience that can not be duplicated. For example getting to walk down the cell blocks and see the actual cells that were home to man inmates over Eastern State's long history is a type of experience that means so much more that seeing artifacts behind a display we can't touch, or dioramas of prisoners in cells. I would venture to say this is one of the most powerful was to teach a audience knowledge in such a historical and meaningful site.
I really enjoyed museum visit Thursday. Ii was actually one of my favorite museum tours so far despite the weather. I thought it was a excellent tour and guide. Nick was very knowledgeable about the site and its history which is also a important aspect of the experience. I think that Eastern State meets and goes beyond my requirements for a museum because I felt the truth was being told on many accounts which is also a important factor in museums and he authenticity of the experience. In addition I felt like it was engaging and as interactive as it could be by allowing cell blocks to be open for people to walk through and certain actual cells being open as well. Overall I felt the tour provided the appropriate level of knowledge and engagement to the visitor. I would definitely be open to visiting again.
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