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Anthropology – Museum and Mindset
1-23-2017
In the last column, we talked about the importance of preserving cultural diversity, especially through protecting indigenous languages. This brings us to the field of Anthropology: the study of what makes us human in all our manifestations. Anthropology links the past to the present while imaging the future. It helps us to understand ourselves, why we do what we do, in relation to others and why they do what they do. In Anthropology, curiosity replaces condemnation. If we can understand why people do things differently, we can increase our appreciation for their ingenuity and recognize that universal problems have a multitude of viable solutions. Through exploring human diversity, we discover the fundamental commonalities that connect us together. Through examining the past, we develop both a feeling of humility and a sense of pride regarding the exploits of our ancestors. Through listening to each other’s stories and to the stories embedded in the artefacts left behind, we see the invisible and hear the unspoken. As our world becomes increasingly globalized, the importance of respecting cultural differences increases as minor misunderstands can quickly escalate with regrettable results.
We are lucky that Vancouver is home to the world-renown Museum of Anthropology. Located on the University of British Columbia’s campus, the MOA holds over 535,000 archaeological objects from around the world with a widespread ethnographic collection representing indigenous communities, including an extensive display of First Nations items. Indeed, since its founding, the MOA has consistently supported indigenous aspirations and recognizes the public representation of Aboriginal people is complex and must be undertaken with respect and dignity.
Then UBC President, D.T. Kenny said it best in his speech at the opening of the museum’s present building in 1976. “This museum is a living museum. In a way, it is a house of spirits. Behind the masks, the totems, the ceremonial robes stand the spirits of the human beings who made them. Until we can sense the presence of these spirits and feel the human bond between these people, and ourselves these objects and the people who made them will remain dead. And until they are alive to us, their living children cannot be truly alive for us…So I ask you to consider this museum as a place of discovery. Many things are there to discover. We can discover the thousand beauties left to us by people who lived before us in this beautiful land. We can discover a better understanding of another culture, another way of life. Most of all, if we can learn to see not only the objects, but the spirits dwelling in this house, we can discover a part of ourselves.”
Developing this “discovery” mindset is what Anthropology is all about. When visitors crane their necks upwards to look at a totem pole, or lower their heads closer to see the intricacy of a beaded shawl, it’s not with a sense of judgment. Instead it’s a place of awe. How did, and do, people use their basic resources to meet the challenges of living? What does this say about them and what can I learn about myself from my reaction to what I’m viewing? How open I am to learning about others is a good indication of my own self-confidence. Do I fear the unknown or embrace it?
The irony that the MOA is built on top of the remnants of a military post makes its own profound statement. During WWII, Point Grey Fort stood where the museum is located intent on seeking out and destroying Japanese invaders. Architect, Arthur Erickon, decided to incorporate the No. 2 gun emplacement right in the middle of the museum. It now holds up the iconic Haida sculpture by Bill Reid, “Raven and the First Men”, featured on the Canadian $20 bill. Erickson explains, “I suggested to Bill that he plan his work for the gun mount itself. The gun turret, the symbol of war, base for destruction, was to be vanquished by his haunting portrayal of Creation.” The emplacement is in plain sight, but our eyes are drawn to the sculpture and we ignore the base. Taking an anthropological mindset helps us to see what is hidden and hear what is unspoken.
When we look beyond our assumptions, expectations, and biases we see how our diversity answers the question of what it means to be human.
For more information about the Museum of Anthropology, go to http://moa.ubc.ca/
Zainab Dhanani can be reached at z_dhanani@yahoo.ca
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