Earth is comprised of a myriad of cultures and identities, both directly and indirectly influential to each other. Because of these connections, it is vital to study or at least garner basic knowledge of other cultures. A key factor to this cultural integration is the establishment of museums for ease of access to the general public. Museums are highly based on visuals and it is very important for museums to present themselves well. The SAM and the Burke museum utilizes their displays very differently, but both focus on the expression of different cultures and do so successfully; however, both can learn from each other and present a more holistic display.
The SAM and Burke museum both highly emphasize cultural discovery, yet in comparison, …show more content…
They would display objects in a way that looked like they were in actual use, which the Burke utilized as well, but not for the Native American exhibit. This method was used in the Asian displays from both parties, but an ideal situation would be the way the SAM recreated a ceremonial Japanese tea set-up. In a Native American display, the mask displays at the SAM held the same “in use” sense as they were displayed tilted up or down and spread in a formation that created the appearance that the masks were actually in use. Furthermore, the masks were displayed without a glass, which really changed the feel from a scientific specimen, to something meant to have connection to and be viewed up close. The SAM also divided items by culture which the Burke had occasions where they were mixed, which was confusing. This could be best seen when the Burke displayed traditional masks from multiple cultures, but all in one constricted case. However, the Burke had a lot more “common” items which made the exhibit seem a lot more holistic such as fishing nets and lines that were traditional which offered more of Native common …show more content…
An example of this crowding is the cross-cultural mask display within the Burke. Joseph describes one Native’s experience with the mask: “My universe is the mold of the mask over my face. I am the mask. I am the bird. I am the animal. I am the fish. I am the spirit. I visualize my dance. I ponder every move. I transcend into the being of the mask” (Behind the Mask, Robert Joseph 24). The different significance of masks just further proves how important it is to display each culture’s significant relics individually, rather than just crowding them together. This mentality is extremely important in distinguishing different Native tribes as well. “The traditions and culture that I will focus on will be those of my own people, the Kwakwakewakw. Protocol states that you must speak only about your own customs, practices, and doctrines” (Interpreting Cultural Symbols of the People from the Shore, Daisy Sewid-Smith 15). This thought is very important because clans have differing opinions in the display of their items and the telling of their tales, which they claim ownership of. When museums display multiple clan relics under a single name or generalized name, it is showing disrespect to those individual clans and their nuanced beliefs. The display of Native Art in museums is a difficult process in itself as “Many believed
The SAM and Burke museum both highly emphasize cultural discovery, yet in comparison, …show more content…
They would display objects in a way that looked like they were in actual use, which the Burke utilized as well, but not for the Native American exhibit. This method was used in the Asian displays from both parties, but an ideal situation would be the way the SAM recreated a ceremonial Japanese tea set-up. In a Native American display, the mask displays at the SAM held the same “in use” sense as they were displayed tilted up or down and spread in a formation that created the appearance that the masks were actually in use. Furthermore, the masks were displayed without a glass, which really changed the feel from a scientific specimen, to something meant to have connection to and be viewed up close. The SAM also divided items by culture which the Burke had occasions where they were mixed, which was confusing. This could be best seen when the Burke displayed traditional masks from multiple cultures, but all in one constricted case. However, the Burke had a lot more “common” items which made the exhibit seem a lot more holistic such as fishing nets and lines that were traditional which offered more of Native common …show more content…
An example of this crowding is the cross-cultural mask display within the Burke. Joseph describes one Native’s experience with the mask: “My universe is the mold of the mask over my face. I am the mask. I am the bird. I am the animal. I am the fish. I am the spirit. I visualize my dance. I ponder every move. I transcend into the being of the mask” (Behind the Mask, Robert Joseph 24). The different significance of masks just further proves how important it is to display each culture’s significant relics individually, rather than just crowding them together. This mentality is extremely important in distinguishing different Native tribes as well. “The traditions and culture that I will focus on will be those of my own people, the Kwakwakewakw. Protocol states that you must speak only about your own customs, practices, and doctrines” (Interpreting Cultural Symbols of the People from the Shore, Daisy Sewid-Smith 15). This thought is very important because clans have differing opinions in the display of their items and the telling of their tales, which they claim ownership of. When museums display multiple clan relics under a single name or generalized name, it is showing disrespect to those individual clans and their nuanced beliefs. The display of Native Art in museums is a difficult process in itself as “Many believed