Trouble in Paradise is a compelling exhibition of intricately carved and uniquely designed Polynesian war clubs, which were collected during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Created under the direction of Professor Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw of the
Department of History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania, and Adria Katz, Keeper of the Oceanian collection at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, this special exhibition was researched and designed with the assistance of 16 Penn art history students working together with museum professionals in an innovative and collaborative project.
With a criteria based on warfare use, aesthetic significance, and historical importance, the 16 large wooden clubs from the islands of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand and the Marquesas were selected from the museum’s extensive Oceanian collection. The show brings these fascinating war clubs to life for exhibition viewers through didactic text panels, digital video, and internet technology. The exhibition considers the history and functions of these clubs within nineteenth century Polynesia, the cultures that produced them, and the manner in which the clubs’ decorative elements connect to broader visual traditions of the Pacific. Trouble in Paradise is a unique exhibition of Polynesian culture that focuses on objects that a broad audience of museum goers will, undoubtedly, find immediately enticing and visually captivating.
Availability
Spring 2008
Gallery
Space
min.
1000 square feet
Venue
Period
12
weeks. Every effort will be made to accommodate special requests
from borrowers.
Contents
52
framed wall-ready photographs measuring 22” x 27”.
Venues may alter the arrangement and number of images they exhibit.
Piece labels, section captions, introductory wall panel and map
accompany the exhibit. These materials are also provided in disc
form.
Public relations material will be provided prior to the opening
of the exhibit. A large-format hard cover book and related poster
are also available.
Speaker is available on request.
Shipping
To
be arranged by the University of Pennsylvania Museum. Venue is responsible
for inbound shipping costs.
Insurance
Covered
by Penn Museum.
Installation/
Deinstallation
No
courier necessary. Qualified staff at borrowing institution will
install and deinstall the exhibition.
Requirements
Facility
report must be submitted for review before approval of loan.
Borrowing institutions must complete incoming and outgoing condition
reports.
The borrower must adhere to temperature and light controls for this
exhibit.
Contacts
Kevin
Lamp
Traveling Exhibits Coordinator
215-573-9312
klamp@sas.upenn.edu or
Katherine Blanchard
Assistant Traveling Exhibits Coordinator
215-746-6976
kblancha@sas.upenn.edu
