From the displays, I could tell that they were old exhibits (perhaps late 50s, judging by the typeface), but nonetheless, I'm surprised that this has never been changed/corrected in our supposedly more enlightened time.
The museum seems to have an implied progression -- prehistoric lizards-early mammals-primates-early humans-humans that started to make stuff and write stuff-the "dawn of civilization" - etc., but I always feel like there's this implication that European/American culture is the last, unmentioned step, the pinnacle of human progress, the point at which man finally transcended "natural history."
Which brings up the broader problem of museum-as-imperialist-showroom, the dynamic of museums being fundamentally about displaying power -- dominion over nature, dominion over other people, spoils of war, "gifts from the Emperor of China," etc. Even if curators no longer view them that way, the connotations linger in everything from the architecture to the engraved quotes to the standard display methods.
I dunno - maybe it's just a matter of lack of space and lack of interest at this point, but I'd like to see a "Hall of Whitefolk" included for the sake of egalitarianism.
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Sunday, 10 September 2006 17:46 (nineteen years ago)
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 10 September 2006 17:50 (nineteen years ago)
― teeny (teeny), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:15 (nineteen years ago)
― Hutch (Hutch Renfro), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:29 (nineteen years ago)
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:36 (nineteen years ago)
― Hutch (Hutch Renfro), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:38 (nineteen years ago)
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:42 (nineteen years ago)
― Hutch (Hutch Renfro), Sunday, 10 September 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)
Museums are largely a product of imperialism - that's a fact. I know that there've been a lot of people along the way who have wanted to and have strived to change the role of museums, but it's funny how they still unwittingly carry that baggage sometimes.
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Sunday, 10 September 2006 19:07 (nineteen years ago)
― Hutch (Hutch Renfro), Sunday, 10 September 2006 19:18 (nineteen years ago)
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Sunday, 10 September 2006 20:13 (nineteen years ago)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wiktionary/bg/thumb/1/1e/Leonardo_God_Adam.JPG/340px-Leonardo_God_Adam.JPG
― === temporary username === (Mark C), Sunday, 10 September 2006 21:46 (nineteen years ago)
― Euai Kapaui (tracerhand), Sunday, 10 September 2006 22:01 (nineteen years ago)
compelling argument there..
― mr. brojangles (sanskrit), Sunday, 10 September 2006 23:40 (nineteen years ago)
BROKEN GLASS
― youn (youn), Sunday, 10 September 2006 23:46 (nineteen years ago)
didnt museums first come about as a means of displaying the exploits of a given government? couldve sworn i'd learned this somewhere.
― AaronK (AaronK), Monday, 11 September 2006 00:05 (nineteen years ago)
― A-ron Hubbard (Hurting), Monday, 11 September 2006 00:16 (nineteen years ago)
expected to spend the day at AMNH when we were in NYC but after rushing through the incredible dinosaur section in anticipation of having to pack in loads more good stuff it was essentially a traipse through Madame Tussaud's until we got to Liam Neeson's universe, which was good.
Great building tho obv
― fedora, wherever it may find her (darraghmac), Saturday, 20 September 2014 11:32 (eleven years ago)
the London Natural History Museum is one of the most amazing museums I've ever been in
― akm, Sunday, 21 September 2014 04:10 (eleven years ago)
I don't remember there being any peoples in it though. except the ones in the fucking dinosaur line