Traveling Exhibits
"Discover Africa in Maine" is a rotating series of objects which serve as an introduction to the cultures of various Sub-Saharan peoples who have rising immigrant populations in Maine and Northern New England.
The objects in this collection illustrate traditional values and are meant to foster understanding among communities and promote cultural diversity. The exhibit was popularized by its presence for over two years in Portland City Hall.
"Black History: African to American" celebrates the African presence and cultural role in American history.
Featured Traveling Exhibit: "Nmuo" Spirits!
CURATORIAL STATEMENT:
"Mmuo -Spirits masks of the Nigerian Igbos - Celebrating the Artistic heritage of Igbo-African people of Oba-Idemili." Nigeria. The exhibition highlights the masks as both ritualistic and as communication figures.
Masks as African Communication tools is an exhibit of Igbo mask as a composite art that communicates ideas through interpersonal verbal symbols, as well as intrinsic symbols and ritualized action that are based on conventions of the society. Mask as ritual object, entertainment figure, political voice, and gender manager, will be explored with the use of examples from different ethnic groups that use mask as voice. This exhibit will give visitors an on-the-spot explanation of different masks that are displayed, witness a mask figure in motion, observe its performance, and appreciate the fundamentals of mask making. This experience will enable visitors to go beyond museum exhibition discussion to a practical arena, where they can feel the complex dynamics of mask communication. Appreciation of mask as important communication system will enrich multicultural competence and interpersonal literacy.
Different mask groups that include mono, parallel, and dual cults, as well as different gender and age-grade voices, will be explored in order to enable visitors appreciate the communication process. Exhibition will consist of lectures, discussions, explanations and videos.
Objectives
The aim of the exhibit is to enable visitors appreciate the African mask as a central voice that includes the artifact and its techniques, as well as audience and social conventions in a communication system that is insignificant in Africa. An interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach that shows the place of music, dance, ritual, and oral saga, in the masking experience of various cultural groups will be adopted. The exhibit will help visitors to develop new critical thinking about African masks as a central communication system that is important in understanding African cultures and peoples. Individuals who successfully completed this exhibit should be able to appreciate:
- Mask not just as a decorative art but a communication figure.
- Mask as a phenomenon with significant cultural voice.
- The place of mask voice in construction of gender and other hierarchies.
- Mask as a doorway to understanding the peoples and their cultures.
- The interaction of mask and other arts.
"Nmuo" is an Igbo word meaning "Spirit" The Igbo (of Nigeria) believe that sacred objects embody spirit beings that are effective in rituals such as healing of body and mind, fertility and funeral, good luck in harvest, courage to overcome grief, communal celebration, honor and homage to ancestral spirits, and glorification of God. The beauty, variety, power and symbolism of this collection can be seen in its contents that consist of the following:
The above collection has historical significance since it represents over 15,000 years of Igbo and the African traditions. In addition, the objects are valuable for their artistic and ornamental purposes. Most of them are of deep spiritual significance. For example, the masks and shrines embody spirits that serve ritual and social purposes. They are from a private collection of 5,000 masks celebrating the Igbo spirit mask and ritual implements of Oba-Idemili, a region in the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria.
Igbo people and African peoples are noted for their artistic ingenuity and creativity. This is illustrated through this collection of masks and objects from the nine villages of Oba-Idemili, because it provides an insight into the cultural history, customs, values and spiritual beliefs of the Igbos and Africans. Primarily known for their skill in palm-wine tapping, spiritual power in healing, magical charms and awesome masks, Oba-Idemili people have been remarkably successful in retaining their ancestral culture in the changing world. The inherent power of ritual and communication projected in this collection speaks to all regardless of age, race, religion and sexual orientation.
- Technical requirements -Strong 8 feet high metal stands for eye level display and hooks for wall mounting.
- Security - Must be in a well-secured environment, out of reach or touch by the audience.
- Environment - Humidity controlled environment.
- Handling - Hand gloves, carefulness recommended due to fragility of most objects.
- Lighting - Lights must be deemed to produce mysticism.
- Space requirement - 7000-10,000 square feet for maximum effect. Small and intimate exhibitions can be arranged as well. For example, 1000-5000 square feet.
