Category Archives: For Fun

Jaalen Edenshaw: The Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole

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Jaalen Edenshaw: The Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole

                                    By: Tara Chloe Dusanj

The Museum of Anthropology (UBC) is very pleased to welcome Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole carver: Jaalen Edenshaw. Jaalen will facilitate a rich, visual presentation regarding his work on the Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole. The disucssion will take place in the Great Hall at MOA on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 7:00pm.

The Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole is 42- foot monument being carved to honour the 20th anniversary of the Gwaii Haanas Agreement. This agreement is the hallmark of a groundbreaking, cooperative management relationship between the Government of Canada and the Haida Nation. Currently an equal number of Haida Nation and Government of Canada representatives manage this special area through the Archipelago Management Board. Gwaii Haanas is renowned throughout the world as a model for governing cultural and natural resources.

Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole carver, Jaalen Edenshaw,  highlights the interconnections between Land, Sea and People in the Haida Gwaii archipelago. In the Haida Language, Gwaii Haanas means: “Islands of Beauty.” The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (established in 2010) is the only place in the world which is managed from mountain top to sea floor. Gwaii Haanas has been rated by the National Geographic Traveller as the number one park destination in North America. The protection of this beautiful space is kept by the Haida Gwaii Watchmen Program and Parks Canada Work.  The land and sea of this remarkable place are protected as: A Haida Heritage Site, a National Park Reserve and a National Marine Conservation Area Reserve. The cooperative management agreement was reached after the turmoil of a blockade. After five years of negotiations regarding the Gwaii Haanas, it is now a model for conservation and the governing of natural resources in the world.

  The Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole tells a story regarding thousands of years, places, people, the past, the present and the deep interconnection between the land, the sea and the people who take pride in this unique environment. Jaalen Edenshaw incorporates images in his design, which display two Haida moieties. The strength of their relationship is represented by several people standing together to reflect those who waited in line at Lyell. There is an eagle at the tope, and a sculpin at the bottom in order to acknowledge the unprecedented agreement between Canada and the Haida Nation. This is an agreement which allows Gwaii Haanas to be managed from mountain top to sea floor. The incorporated image of a visitor corresponds to the idea that those who come from far away are given the chance to experience the spectrum from ancient, oral histories to modern day archaeological studies. This ideology is indicated through the representation of the grizzly bear and dog images, but also through the recent design modification (that took place after the October 2012 earthquake), which include an image of Scared-One-Standing-and-Moving who is draped in the skin of a Wasgo (sea wolf) which enhanced his powers in the epic battle to hold up the Haida Gwaii and is meant to remind us that we are all united. The pole will be visible from a distance at sea. It will complement the thriving feature of the long house, the accessible old growth, the culturally modified trees, the salmon run and the cultural history, which attributes to the speciality of Gwaii Haanas.

The red cedar pole will be raised in Gwaii Haanas on August 15, 2013, which will be followed by a feast in Skidegate on August 17th. 2013. This also marks the 25th anniversary of the South Moresby Agreement, a commitment, which was made by the federal and provincial governments to protect the natural and marine resources of Gwaii Haanas. Additionally, it will be the first pole raised in the Gwaii Haanas region in over 130 years and will serve to build a connection with the other historic poles that are currently standing in the villages of Sgang Gwayy (also known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site).

A six-person committee selected Jaalen Edenshaw as the Gwaii Haanas Legacy Pole carver, whom asked Tyler York to be his assistant on the project. Jaalen was a member of the Ts’aahi- Eagle Clan. He was the head carver of the 36-foot ‘Cormorant’ pole created for the village of Old Masset in 2009. The following year, Jaalen and his brother, Gwaai, work together on the 43-foot ‘Two Brothers” pole, which was raised in Jasper National Park, Alberta. His work is highly inspired by the traditions of the Haida culture: their stories, the natural world of Haida Gwaii, and most importantly the Haida Language. Jaalen is very invested in preserving Haida language. He has contributed to this cause through his co-production of the play “Sinxii Ganguu”, which is an old story adapted and performed in the Haida language. Jaalen is also aware of the need to engage the younger generation with their heritage. He is apart of a language medusa team, which engages youth with language revitalizations. 

Join us for this historical, culturally rich and visual presentation on March 5, at 7PM in the Great Hall. Help honour the past by celebrating the future of Gwaii Haanas.

The event is free with general admission. Admission into the Museum is free for all current UBC students, staff and faculty.


 

 

Windows of The World: Winter Art Market at MOA!

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Holiday Market
A Winter Art Market at MOA
November 19- – December 23, 2012
This year MOA’s annual Windows on the World Winter Art Market celebrates world arts and cultures with Clay, Cloth and Silver, an eclectic array of handmade goods chosen to reflect the spirit of MOA’s extensive collections. This year there is a special emphasis on BC ceramics, and the arts and crafts of Peru.
The Museum Shop features a fine selection of original Northwest Coast jewellery, masks, carvings, baskets, and limited edition prints. Visit us online or onsite to choose from an eclectic array of clothing, gifts and collectibles inspired by Museum exhibits, or purchase a wide variety of books with topics related to Northwest Coast anthropology, art, and contemporary issues.
The Museum of Anthropology also has its own line of giftware designed by Northwest Coast artists Lyle Wilson (Haisla), Susan Point (Coast Salish), Vernon Brown (Blackfish Clan, Kitkatla, BC), and Shawn Hunt (Heiltsuk).
Sneak Preview
Monday, November 19, 11am-­?5pm

UBC faculty, staff, students, and MOA volunteers receive a 20% discount on all purchases during our popular Sneak Preview. Members are welcome, too!

Members’ Night
Monday, November 19, 6-­?9pm
Join us for a complementary drink, refreshments, live music, and prize draw. Meet our special guests, Peruvian weavers Lucia Andrade de Laureano and Clelia Margarita Ricra Ricaldi. Explore the Galleries and preview the Spring line of Uqllu fashion accessories in vibrant colours of hand-­?woven Alpaca. Take advantage of your 20% discount Members’ Week discount on Opening Night for the very best selection of one-­?of-­?a-­?kind gifts.

Not a MOA member? Memberships available at the door!

Members’ Week
November 19-­?25
Members receive a special 20% discount this week only!
Lucia and Clelia will demonstrate Alpaca weaving at MOA from November 19-­?23. Shop for luxurious scarves, shawls, and wraps made by weavers from Lucia and Clelia’s villages. Check the MOA website for times.

Members’ Week Special – 30% discount on signed copies of Luminescence: The Silver of Peru and The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, MOA’s award-­?winning publication.

MOA Members are invited to shop and receive members’ discounts at the Vancouver Aquarium (December 10-­?16), TELUS World of Science (November 17-­?24), and Shop in the Garden at the UBC Botanical Garden (December 1 and 5) during their members’ events.

Museum Shop products can be shipped to any destination. We are also pleased to assist with conference, corporate, or wedding gifts.

All proceeds from the Shop fund museum acquisitions, publications, and public programs.

Not sure what to buy for that perfect holiday gift?
Give a MOA gift card!

For More information: http://www.moa.ubc.ca/shop/world2012.php

Queries:
Museum Shop Manager
Tel: 604.822.3440
Fax: 604.822.2974
Email: shop@moa.ubc.ca

Introducing the MOA Mobile Web Application!

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The Multiversity Galleries at MOA hold thousands of objects from our Museum’s worldwide research collection. Typically, these types of objects are stoner behind-the-scenes, but at MOA you can search through the collections on your own, for as long as you like. To enhance this experience of cultural, historical and artistic exploration, we have created an in-house house web application for mobile phones.

How does it work? Simply bring your phone with you when you are visiting MOA. We have free WiFi for public access. Once you are inside, you can use the MOA mobile web application as an exploration tool for the galleries inside the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. You can use the mobile application to look up information about objects you see in the gallery, and even those that are not on display.

This is a moblie web application, so using our free WiFi,  you will need to go to the internet browser on your mobile phone and enter in this link: http://m.moa.ubc.ca

Once you have successfully completed this step. The following screen will show up:

Every object in the Multiversity Galleries has a personal ID number. You can typically find an object’s ID on a white card beside the object. Enter in the ID number of the object you would like to know more about into the search field. Once this part is completed, you will be presented with a description of the object, the object’s history of use, the narrative behind the object and a greater cultural context. This will enhance your knowledge of the object and provide a greater cultural and symbolic context for the particular artifact.

This is a great way to learn more about the objects you see in the gallery! It will certainly enrich your MOA experience! Your input is of great value to us! Please let us know how you find the MOA web application by filling out the online feedback form!

The Museum is closed on Mondays but open to the public on Tuesday from 10am – 9pm and Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Admission is free with all current UBC student, staff and faculty!

 

Things Left Behind

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Things Left Behind will premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival on:

Friday, September 28, 6:15 pm, Granville #1
Monday, October 1, 12:20 pm, Granville #1
Friday, October 12, 9:30 pm, Granville #1
Things Left Behind is a new film by Linda Hoaglund that explores the transformative power of Hiroshima–the first major international art exhibit devoted to the atomic bomb. The film features footage of the exhibition installation at MOA. It weaves the 48 exhibited photographs, Ishiuchi’s creative process, and the impact her images have upon visitors to access and recast historical memory.

Pots of Inspiration

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Pots of Inspiration

By: Tara Chloe Dusanj

When you go looking for inspiration, often or not, you will not find it, but, when you are least expecting it– inspiration will find you on a whim. This can be achieved through something as simple as an object. The MOA Shop is full of sacred, immensely beautiful and unique trinkets, which evoke all kinds of inspiration in unique ways. The staff at the MOA shop is given the privilege of experiencing an intimate, first-hand engagement with these precious objects. We wanted to share some of their favorite picks for the month of August!

Meghan Price is intrigued by the featured selection of pottery from the south western United States, in particular, Acoma pottery. Made by potters from the Acoma Pueblo, Acoma pottery is known for its exquisitely painted geometric designs, thin walls, and fluted rims. Acoma potters mine for their clay, clean it, and filter it for impurities before they can begin building their pots. After the clay is prepared, vessels are constructed using the coil method, starting at the bottom and form a “snake” working their way to the top. Traditionally, once a pot is painted, the potter fires the pot at very high temperatures around a fire outside. This is a process that could cause the pot to explode if impurities are present in the clay. Megan possesses a passion for pottery, and appreciates the craftsmanship that is put into these pieces. The Acoma pots serve as an object of inspiration towards Megan’s personal talents and artistic interests.

Ariel Kwan is inspired by the works of Kinichi Shigeno, a local artist from Richmond, British Columbia who primarily works with porcelain and cobalt brush. Formally trained in ceramic, Kinichi’s talent is very apparent in all of his pieces. Acknowledged with awards and recognition from across the globe, it is no wonder that his ceramic mugs are one of the most popular items in the shop.

The public adoration and affection for cats is an endlessly growing theme! Cat lovers can find their perfect cat mug design with Kinichi. If you are not a cat lover, don’t worry, Kinichi’s work celebrates the beauty of many animals and you can likely find something by Kinichi that suits your personal tastes.

The animals on his cups are beautiful and almost life-like. While these mugs look delicate they are very sturdy and will be wonderful additions to anyone’s kitchen. These mugs are generous gifts for everyone, including you!

There are Acoma pottery in the Multiversity Galleries at MOA a long with many other pottery pieces. My personal favorite is the Zuni owls, which are considered to be guardians of protection and wisdom. They come in all different shapes and sizes and are absolutely beautiful in person.