Dullness is incurable…
And this week has certainly been anything but dull! Having previously mentioned last week to some children I teach that in England we would have fireworks on November 5, not October 31 they took it upon themselves to do some research and find out why. I was initially impressed with myself- enquiring minds and independent learning skills- I’m good, secret smile to self. So, as Thursday arrived I walked into my own mini England, complete with costumes and accents. At this point all I can say is I know I have an odd accent but I REALLY hope I don’t sound the same as they did, although they assure me they were copying me accurately. The costumes were… well, they seemed to have mixed up a few different traditions at this point and wanted to vote to see who could be King and Queen for the day, so had found some crowns and tiaras and hidden some pirate gold for the games and the dancing later, and just in case we had forgotten Hallowe’en the previous week, candy was given out for the costumes. I must admit, even I was a little confused at this, but continued smiling and went along with the fun and adventures of the day. At lunch time we burned paper “guys” that they had created and had the biggest sparkles I have ever seen. Eleven year old boys get way too excited at the prospect of setting fire to things. Then back for the last treat of the day which was a rendition of “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” My concern for their independent learning skills was awakened at this point, when they asked what ‘gunpowdertreason” was exactly because it sounded sweet and did we eat it at any other point of the year! I think a little more work maybe required on this topic before I can say that we all totally grasp the historical significance of this event!
Show and Tell this week was also drama based, but I have no idea what the Apache were doing invading Canada, speaking with Tennessee accents and playing badminton- but given this was supposed to be linked to Social Studies, it was a Friday afternoon and it made me laugh I let it slide. Teaching is not what it used to be! (Said with a wry smile, a slight shake of my head and the knowledge that I have just had two days of great fun.)
This weekend I thought I try out the Museum of Vancouver, despite the less than enthusiastic reports I have had of it in the past, and the not particularly enthusiastic guide book entries. I did have a few other options, but the weather forecast was for rain so I automatically ruled out anything that might not be undercover, and the MOV had free parking, and a huge parking lot so beat the others hands down. In my book that makes it a massive hit right away! So, I happily headed out to Kitsilano and Vanier Park.
I arrived at the museum just as a tour and a short presentation speech was being given on their new exhibit- “Ravishing Beasts”. http://www.ravishingbeasts.com/
I’m not usually a big fan of taxidermy but this was actually a fairly interesting take on it. The MOV had originally been housed on the top floor of another civic building, but at the start of the 1960s it was relocated into the premises they have today. At that time they had a large taxidermy collection, and it was carefully put away into storage for the duration of the move until they were ready to re-show it. There it remained, until this October when it was re-established as a modern art collection and presented as more than just a “scientific learning experience’. They do have some pieces that are there purely for educational value, such as the non extinct passenger pigeon- the last one died in Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, and they have tried to link in visitor experiences to the changing perception of the craft of taxidermy by showing item such as the elephant foot side table from a Victorian parlor alongside a character gopher on loan from the Gopher Museum in Calgary. Despite the disclaimer that all animals used had died from natural causes I’m not sure I understand the use of them in art, I think I find it all a little too macabre still, I can justify it as an educational necessity, or when it is a non expendable source, but I’m not sure dead animal pelts made into humanesque shapes is what I would call art. Having said that, it does not serve a utilitarian purpose, it is thought provoking and it has created a response from me, so maybe it is art after all. I think on balance though I still prefer Monet.
The rest of the MOV was dedicated to the history of Vancouver. Starting as you enter with a crab like sculpture which according to native legend guards the entrance to the harbor, and ties in nicely with the astrological symbol corresponding to July 1, and Canada Day; the museum is still undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation which might explain why the Aboriginal peoples were only represented by two small boards and a totem pole in the foyer. However, from the lead up to WW1 through to the 1970s I thought the museum was a great documenter of social history, if not the heavy factual dates and long cards to read, it was a light and entertaining guide through period costume, furniture, music, posters and TV. Often laid out as a street scene or a domestic room, it gave the opportunity to gather a feel of the time. The explanations- although not hugely detailed, were often on cards next to exhibits and the personal stories of people involved were often noted down beside particular items. While I spent a very enjoyable three hours in here, it not on the same level as major museums in other large cities, and certainly not on the scale you would find in the ROM in Toronto, this maybe an unfair comparison on my part, and possibly I should leave that thought until I get to Vancouver Island and check out the Royal British Columbia Museum.
Oh- not only did it not rain while I was out, I even saw some blue sky when I left… who knew the weather forecasters could be so wrong?
And this week has certainly been anything but dull! Having previously mentioned last week to some children I teach that in England we would have fireworks on November 5, not October 31 they took it upon themselves to do some research and find out why. I was initially impressed with myself- enquiring minds and independent learning skills- I’m good, secret smile to self. So, as Thursday arrived I walked into my own mini England, complete with costumes and accents. At this point all I can say is I know I have an odd accent but I REALLY hope I don’t sound the same as they did, although they assure me they were copying me accurately. The costumes were… well, they seemed to have mixed up a few different traditions at this point and wanted to vote to see who could be King and Queen for the day, so had found some crowns and tiaras and hidden some pirate gold for the games and the dancing later, and just in case we had forgotten Hallowe’en the previous week, candy was given out for the costumes. I must admit, even I was a little confused at this, but continued smiling and went along with the fun and adventures of the day. At lunch time we burned paper “guys” that they had created and had the biggest sparkles I have ever seen. Eleven year old boys get way too excited at the prospect of setting fire to things. Then back for the last treat of the day which was a rendition of “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” My concern for their independent learning skills was awakened at this point, when they asked what ‘gunpowdertreason” was exactly because it sounded sweet and did we eat it at any other point of the year! I think a little more work maybe required on this topic before I can say that we all totally grasp the historical significance of this event!
Show and Tell this week was also drama based, but I have no idea what the Apache were doing invading Canada, speaking with Tennessee accents and playing badminton- but given this was supposed to be linked to Social Studies, it was a Friday afternoon and it made me laugh I let it slide. Teaching is not what it used to be! (Said with a wry smile, a slight shake of my head and the knowledge that I have just had two days of great fun.)
This weekend I thought I try out the Museum of Vancouver, despite the less than enthusiastic reports I have had of it in the past, and the not particularly enthusiastic guide book entries. I did have a few other options, but the weather forecast was for rain so I automatically ruled out anything that might not be undercover, and the MOV had free parking, and a huge parking lot so beat the others hands down. In my book that makes it a massive hit right away! So, I happily headed out to Kitsilano and Vanier Park.
I arrived at the museum just as a tour and a short presentation speech was being given on their new exhibit- “Ravishing Beasts”. http://www.ravishingbeasts.com/
I’m not usually a big fan of taxidermy but this was actually a fairly interesting take on it. The MOV had originally been housed on the top floor of another civic building, but at the start of the 1960s it was relocated into the premises they have today. At that time they had a large taxidermy collection, and it was carefully put away into storage for the duration of the move until they were ready to re-show it. There it remained, until this October when it was re-established as a modern art collection and presented as more than just a “scientific learning experience’. They do have some pieces that are there purely for educational value, such as the non extinct passenger pigeon- the last one died in Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, and they have tried to link in visitor experiences to the changing perception of the craft of taxidermy by showing item such as the elephant foot side table from a Victorian parlor alongside a character gopher on loan from the Gopher Museum in Calgary. Despite the disclaimer that all animals used had died from natural causes I’m not sure I understand the use of them in art, I think I find it all a little too macabre still, I can justify it as an educational necessity, or when it is a non expendable source, but I’m not sure dead animal pelts made into humanesque shapes is what I would call art. Having said that, it does not serve a utilitarian purpose, it is thought provoking and it has created a response from me, so maybe it is art after all. I think on balance though I still prefer Monet.
The rest of the MOV was dedicated to the history of Vancouver. Starting as you enter with a crab like sculpture which according to native legend guards the entrance to the harbor, and ties in nicely with the astrological symbol corresponding to July 1, and Canada Day; the museum is still undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation which might explain why the Aboriginal peoples were only represented by two small boards and a totem pole in the foyer. However, from the lead up to WW1 through to the 1970s I thought the museum was a great documenter of social history, if not the heavy factual dates and long cards to read, it was a light and entertaining guide through period costume, furniture, music, posters and TV. Often laid out as a street scene or a domestic room, it gave the opportunity to gather a feel of the time. The explanations- although not hugely detailed, were often on cards next to exhibits and the personal stories of people involved were often noted down beside particular items. While I spent a very enjoyable three hours in here, it not on the same level as major museums in other large cities, and certainly not on the scale you would find in the ROM in Toronto, this maybe an unfair comparison on my part, and possibly I should leave that thought until I get to Vancouver Island and check out the Royal British Columbia Museum.
Oh- not only did it not rain while I was out, I even saw some blue sky when I left… who knew the weather forecasters could be so wrong?
No comments:
Post a Comment