Merry Christmas... the Eastern State Penitentiary way!

Gingerbread penitentiaries (click!)

Steven Lubar at Temple University

Temple University Libraries invited guest Steven Lubar, hailing from Brown University, to a public conversation about public humanities. Our very own Museums in American Culture professor, Seth Bruggeman, hosted. Steven Lubar currently is head of a graduate program in public humanities at Brown University’s. Among other things, Lubar was also a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The event was constructed as a conversation between Seth Bruggeman and Steven Lubar. Each discussed ideas and questions, then gradually opened up the conversation to questions and comments from the audience. As Lubar pointed out, it is a great way to engage the public about public history and humanities. Lubar stressed that public humanities and public history should incorporate various studies, like anthropology, folk art, sociology, and of course history. An important concept within theses fields is the “public” association with projects and studies. Both agreed that it is important to engage the communities and include them in conversations. After all, it is public studies.

The conversation shifted gears to the inner workings of museums. Both are convinced that in the future museums will take on a new look as the design breaks down to address new audiences and spaces. Not only will the spaces become different, the professionals and their positions within museums will change. The increase of technology could replace the current object and knowledge designs, though as studies show and Lubar has noticed, some youth resist technology. This is an interesting idea that our class first discussed after reading an article in The Connecticut Cultural Consumer. The study showed that in general youth did not prefer technology in museums. After studying the evolution of museums it is evident museums change as societies change, so there us no doubt that there is change ahead.

Yellow Taxis, Skyscrapers...

Individualism, celebrity, opportunity, religion, and poverty, all apart of America as described by the students of the University of East Anglia. When asked the question of what America represented to them, the students accurately described American history, popular culture, and the influence of the media and government. I found many of the statements true and agreeable, while others I felt uncomfortable with. I think that many Americans are aware of the flaws within our country and when they are pointed out it becomes frustrating and embarrassing. Similar to having a bad hair day while someone remarks, “Bad hair day?” I do believe that the United States needs to be critiqued and that it will only lead to improvements and a more informed and motivated population. For example, one statement identifies the contradictions that exist in the United States. The famous mantras of “land of the free,” and “all men are created equal” seem to lack significance and in the past have not translated of paper into everyday life. Also, the “American Dream” is another mantra that has developed around the immigration of people to the country seeking a better life, and ironically, this same country is constructing a multimillion-dollar wall with hopes to keep immigrants out. With these contradictions already at work, it is important to address the two party government system that revolves around money and functions through debt. To keep the mantra theme going, “divide and conquer” always comes to mind when I think of our current Republican versus Democrat and South versus North dilemma.

Aside from the contradictions and bad decisions, America has offered the world many positive things and has inspired many people. I think that my largest problem with many of the statements was that they revolved around popular culture media representations. Television and Hollywood movies do not provide an accurate representation of life in the United States. I cringe at the thought of the “Jersey Shore,” and movies like “American Pie.” Unfortunately, things like McDonalds, Disney, Fox News, and Starbucks have all morphed from corporations into culture. I find this frustrating because as an American, I do not identify my American citizenship with a fast food burger or an animated deer named Bambi. The beauty of the United States is that everyone has a different perspective of what it means to him or her. Forget the contradictions; ignore the media and what they say is popular culture. The complexities of our country and the constant judgment make it difficult to mess up with out a global reprimanding. In my America, I am hopeful that the future will hold more positive than negative, and that our diversity will unite us as one country under our iconic flag of red, white, and blue.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Creepy, Eerie, History

Eastern State Penitentiary received its first inmate in October of 1829. The initial goal of Eastern State was to inspire morals, work ethic, and religious penitence into the inmates. Penitence being the key, the very word “penitentiary” is rooted in. Silence and isolation from the devil was thought to help the inmates restore their inner light. The unique panopticon design, running water, and central heating put Eastern State Penitentiary on the map as an amazing work of architecture. Eventually, the severe isolation and religious guidelines began to crumble as Eastern State grew overcrowded, expensive, and the deterioration of many inmates mental heath became evident. By 1971 Eastern State Penitentiary was abandoned.

Today, Eastern State is a praised historical site that draws multitudes of curious tourists, and even veteran locals, to take a peak behind the massive walls. Options to tour Eastern State include an audio tour narrated by Steve Buscemi, guided group tours, or the popular “Terror Behind the Walls” haunted house that runs roughly from September until November. With these options, Eastern State covers all demographic bases. The audience ranges from families all the way up to groups of senior citizens. Eastern State Penitentiary incorporates their history in the tour, though it seems that the penitentiary is an entity separate from Philadelphia. Although Eastern State is a significant part of Philadelphia’s history, I did not gain an understanding of how the penitentiary has impacted Philadelphia. As we discussed in class, it is possible that some subjects may be too large to broach in a group tour environment, and some may be too difficult to tackle. A possibility for Eastern State to indulge tough questions of Philadelphia’s history could be to take a lesson from the Wagner Institute. Offering discussion classes with various topics would be a great way to incorporate larger themes, generate revenue, and ensure the people attending were interested. The artist installations provide an aesthetic break from the pealing paint and chipped plaster. I did not enjoy them all, though the “dark tourism” theme was the highlight for me. The installation makes you ask yourself “Why am I here?” “Why do I want to experience this?” And the answers are often… dark.

I think that Eastern State does a great job engaging visitors and is a great example of how “ways of seeing” has changed over the years. I feel that interaction with an original artifact has a greater gain of cultural capital than any game at the Franklin Institute.

It's Electric!

The Franklin Institute is committed to provide visitors with a scientific and interactive educational experience. This mission is clearly displayed in the exhibit titled “Electricity.” The exhibit developed from an interest of incorporating more of Benjamin Franklin into the exhibits, after all, Franklin is the museums namesake.

To set the mood when entering "Electricity" it is best to touch the key and receive a mild shock. As planned, this will ensure a clear and focused mind while experiencing how electricity works. Along with a guided tour, our class was able to sneak a peak into the preliminary design phases of the exhibit. Electricity is a large concept and to be able to see how it gets narrowed down is a perfect example of how an exhibit gets created. The space incorporates history, art, technology, and science interactively and successfully. When first walking into the space I first noticed the lighting, it was dimmed to the perfect level to see sparks and flashes of light. A number of Benjamin Franklin’s artifacts are on display, including his original electricity tube and a book he wrote on electricity. Among other things, a lightning rod, electrostatic generator, and a collection of Leyden jars, with only one missing. A mounted computer monitor allows visitors to pick an object and see a short animation of how each would have worked. I think that this combination of history and technology works well because it allows viewers to see how this outdated technology would have functioned, putting it in better context. Most of the interactive pieces were on a raised level in the center of the space. A floor that lights up when you walk or dace, cranks that power light bulbs, and a touch screen game that allows you to control a towns power supply, these are just a few examples of “Electricity.” Along with each “game,” for lack of a better word, a descriptive plaque informs what do and provides facts and information. I felt like I had to read them, because otherwise I would not have figured out what the goal was or what I was doing. I think that the exhibit does a great job of balancing interaction with education, despite everyone’s urge to huddle around “Compromising Choices.”

In connection to The Connecticut Cultural Consumer article, I found that it seemed like everyone enjoyed the technology and interaction. With the majority of the class being under thirty, we are the demographic the article says does not prefer technology in museums. I think it proves that statistics based on age and a wide subject like technology in museums is not something to take as fact. There are many variations between museums, technology, and how museums use technology. Personally, I would have enjoyed more historical background of Benjamin Franklin and the development of electricity. However, I enjoyed the technology and interaction, and I feel the Franklin Institute does a wonderful job balancing both.

When I think of the Academy of Natural Science I immediately visualize the large Tyrannosaurus skeleton in the Dinosaur Hall. I often only think of the Tyrannosaurus, and the other dinosaur skeletons, forgetting about the dioramas, butterflies, auditorium, and library. I think the Tyrannosaurus stands out and trumps the dioramas because it is the largest exhibit in the museum, and unlike the dioramas, visitors can walk around it in awe and see it from every angle. The Dinosaur Hall is also home to a cast skeleton of a Tylosaurus. This skeleton is suspended swimming through the air, and there are even water sound effects as you get closer. In fact, throughout the Dinosaur Hall visitors here the roars of dinosaurs, creating an eerie effect, especially for the younger visitors.
The majority of the museum appears to be focused on children and teenagers. The dioramas make up the bulk of the first and second floor, while The Big Dig and Dinosaur Hall occupy a portion of each, and the third floor is an interactive area for young children called Outside-In. I think that the museum focuses on gaining an audience of younger children because it will begin to encourage an interest in natural science early in their education. The museum is visually stimulating and also encourages children to participate, especially in The Big Dig and the Outside-In.
The dioramas range from North American, Asian, and African. The darkly lit halls and glowing display windows live up to the comparison of window shopping. Hall after hall, the animals are posed in their constructed habitat to evoke a sense of amazement in the viewer. I think that the interest in dioramas is in the excitement of the viewer to be able to stare at a tiger in his (glass) eyes. It is almost like time has frozen and the viewer is able to witness and experience something exotic and rare. The scientific aspects of the displays go easily unnoticed. For example, the various positioning that shows different views on the animals, the incorporation of young animals, and the specific plants used to fill the window. The background paintings of dioramas always seem like they are down by the same artist. They all have a scientific quality to them, making sure each plant is recognizable, and each mountain rage is accurate to the habitat. The curved back to these paintings help to envelop the viewer in the small constructed world. I think that these elements of scientific observation can go unnoticed because it is easy for the viewer to take the dioramas for face value, looking at it for a few moments, and then moving on to the next continent. This of course, is the negative side of dioramas. I do think that the Academy of Natural Science is aware of this, and try to combat the negative with interactive displays that will, hopefully, encourage children to take natural science out of the museum and into their own life.

Betsy Ross's House?

The Betsy Ross House experience begins in the gift shop and ends in the gift shop. As I waited in the shop for our group to gather I noticed every tourist was over the age of forty. I assume because it was a rainy Thursday afternoon most children were at school, though I was still confused by the crowd. The tour is self-guided with the provided audio tour that fills the visitors ears with the voice of Betsy herself. The tour takes the visitor room by room through the old stone house, and does not last more than a half hour. A theme through the house is a "myth buster" plaque on the wall stating a cute anecdote. I found this ironic, considering the entire Betsy Ross House is a myth. The audio tour creates a narrative that is much less accurate and informative than say, Marla Miller’s book, “Betsy Ross and the Making of America.” At the end of the tour I left thinking the house was an interesting glimpse at life during 1700’s, and with an itch of interest in the role women have played throughout American history. The debate over the accuracy and truth of the house lingered over my tour, but hearing Betsy’s voice as I walked through her kitchen reassured me. With the belief that Betsy never lived in the house, I still appreciate the attempt to put a face on a historic moment in the history of the United States. Deceitful and underhanded, though not surprising.

Karen Cox, "Dreaming of Dixie"

Today our normal class discussion was substituted with a lecture by Karen Cox, author of “Dreaming of Dixie: How the South Was Created in American Popular Culture.” Cox combines all forms of media to exhibit how the idea of the South has been wrongly romanticized by, in many cases, northern industries. Film, music, literature, radio, and advertisements for various products have all been used to perpetuate a myth of the Old South. This image of the Old South, as Cox describes, is laced with mansions landscaped with Spanish moss, and filled with charm and hospitality. While the North profited from the exotic myth, race tensions grew, eventually leading to retreat from the romance.
The South developed their own way to profit from the growing tourism industry that had developed in result of Northerners curiosity. The construction of highways and the accessibility of the automobile allowed visitors to travel south and spend their money. Though Cox was unfamiliar with any museums that placed the myth on display, Southerners developed clever ways to give the Northerners the show they wanted, while satisfying their own wallets. Cox described a chauffer who, for a fee, would drive Northerners out into the county to see a cabin that had some sort of history.
Cox uses various examples from historic popular culture. The best received in my opinion is the character of Aunt Jemima. The character was created in New York by the advertisers behind the pancake mix. A “social tableau,” is an advertisement with a hook that seduces its audience with a story. The character of Aunt Jemima worked well, best outside of the South, and she is still around today. Aside from Aunt Jemima, I found it very comical that many Dixie themed songs were written in New York City by Jewish immigrants. Cox uses ample evidence to support he Northern creationism myth.
Karen Cox’s book and discussion relate directly to our class discussions and text. The idea that our perception of the world, in Cox’s case the South, is manipulated by the media, industries, government, money, and institutions (like museums) is something that holds true today. Museums are simply a reflection of the curator, owner, or director’s ideals and taste. Museums will only allow us access to the information that “they” what us to have and process. Unfortunately, in the United States many people look to these institutions to be accurate and democratic. Not to say all museums and institutions are leading the public astray, but I feel it is important to look for more sources of information.

The Gross Clinic, by Thomas Eakins (1875)

The Wagner Free Institute of Science

Now surrounded by row houses in busy North Philadelphia, the Wagner Free Institute of Science once stood alone in the outskirts of the city. In 1855 William Wagner’s collection of various natural science specimens became officially founded as an institute. Incorporating a library, museum displays, and a lecture hall, the Wagner Free Institute of Science became a primary institute for research, and free educational opportunities.
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a perfect example of how personal collections, or “cabinets,” gradually turned into public exhibits and displays. A significant element of the Wagner Institute is that it was free. This fueled the spread of knowledge and created opportunities for more people to experience a different view of the world. Between the Egyptian crocodile skull, English draft horse skeleton, and humming bird nest, a Darwinian philosophy is evident. This secular knowledge represents the world as William Wagner saw it, and others who have maintained the Wagner Institute after him. The power of the Wagner Institute is in its scientific origins; the objects are presented as facts and evidence of our natural world.
My visit on Tuesday afternoon was my first trip to the Wagner Institute. As I walked down the corridor, as directed, my jaw dropped as I found myself looking down into a lecture hall of wooden stadium seating. As I sat down in a wooden seat I imagined the painting by Thomas Eakins, The Gross Clinic. The lecture hall was my favorite part of the Wagner Institute. It placed me into the late 1800’s and prepared my mind for the collection upstairs. I think that the emphasis that is placed on the institute’s history gives the Wagner a unique spin. Most museums seem like they simply house the history, but in the Wagner’s case, the building and interior space is possibly more significant than the objects. Of course I do not mean to down play the amazing collection of exotic skeletons, minerals, coral, birds, and insects. But as I walked through the Wagner I kept saying to myself a cliché phrase, “If these walls could talk…”

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Title

I have been laboring over the title of this blog for almost an hour. At first I simply titled it “blog,” because I was late for work, in fact, too late to capitalize the first letter, and the thought of an eight-hour shift was draining the creativity out of me. After much classroom discussion of (and hunting for) the three required texts, I decided to name my blog in honor of all three. In result, the title, “The Shaping of Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Cultural Theory.”