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