Favorite Object: Penn Museum

Okay... this was not an easy assignment. How would one simply chose a "favorite object" in this museum full of beautiful and significant objects? Statistically, it wasn't even possible... I didn't even see all of the objects so how can I name one of them my "favorite"? During our field trip I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn't focus on any objects knowing there are hundreds more in the same room. I wanted to give every object a chance, which quickly became a daunting task seeing as every object was significant, important, intriguing, beautiful, and, in some cases, a favorite object to someone else at one time. I went back to the Penn Museum over break, to give myself more time and not rush, and still felt that there was no way to choose one object. Even reviewing my photos, I still can't decide. Oy.

My visits to the Penn Museum were unreal. I didn't know what to expect when I first visited. I had no idea how large it was, how it was laid out, and what type of things I would see. The Egyptian Galleries gave me chills. Viewing the Chinese and Japanese collections under the spacious Rotunda was surreal and made me feel tiny and small, but in an awestruck sort of way. The combination of objects and artifacts with their history was a lot to take in, but the Penn Museum also provided a lot of information about how the objects were collected providing me with the history about the history of finding the objects. This fascinated me, and added to the tricky task of choosing ONE thing. 

And then I found out that the Penn Museum has over a million objects and only 5% are on display.

So long story short, for my favorite object, I chose an interactive in the Artifact Lab. I partially feel like I'm taking an easy way out, since there are so many amazing objects filling this museum. But it was interesting and I liked how it was presented. 

See What a Conservator Sees Interactive

September 2012

The See What a Conservator Sees interactive is an activity involving high powered microscopes connected to computer screens to easily display the magnification. With it are slides of materials that conservators look at. There is two of each type of material, a newer version and an older version, to allow for comparisons between the two. This display was engaging and interesting to see how some materials change over time and how conservators look for these changes to understand how old and figure out the story of some objects.

Materials provided included: Copper, Linen, and Papyrus

This object is found "In The Artifact Lab" room that was opened on September 30, 2012. It is very new, and does not have a lot of wear. Its location in the Artifact Lab is right up against the lab windows, allowing visitors to almost feel as though they are in the lab as well, working on analyzing the materials. Since it is right next to the lab glass, there are real mummies nearby along with other instruments and tools for conservation that the conservationists are using, though they are on the other side of the glass. 

The interactive is very modern and simple and fits in with the lab setting. The technology is easy to use and not overly complicated and shows the magnification very well. I now presume an Exhibit Developer created this concept since it is very easy for the public to understand and use and it explains what the conservationist are doing with the microscopes in their lab, and what they are looking for. The slides were very durable and the directions were easy to follow.

Other fields of study to enrich my understanding would be conservation, and further knowledge on these materials and textiles in relationship to anthropology. In addition, knowing more about how these materials break down, and how they date the objects (carbon dating or other methods) would also be something to explore. 

Those not interested in this interactive could be those more interested in the mummy next to it. As I was exploring the interactive, everyone else in the lab was right up against the glass looking at the mummies and talking with the conservationist. Also those who are not interested in the small details and how conservation is done, but rather would like to know the history and story about the objects and materials, not the scientific process that is involved with figuring out the history. 

Only text provided with this activity

Opposing views would find the object to be too simplistic and doesn't provide enough text about how materials and how they relate to the conservation process. I agree, and wish there was more information about each of the materials or about the microscopes. I do not know what magnification the microscope was and wish I knew, and what type of microscope it was why they chose that type and if it provides advantages over other types of microscopes.

Programming for this interactive would be to already have magnifications of the materials and do a matching activity with the old material vs. the new material to see if visitors can determine which is which before using the microscope. Also providing anomalies and examples of things that provide a lot of information in the materials such as discoloration of a certain type of metal means that "xyz" took place at one time. 

Favorite Object: American Philosophical Society

Case I. Arioso: Lenticular Cloud

Photographed in Brazil

1968 Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects by Edward Condon

The Arioso Case is filled with pictures of clouds and cloud classifications. In my personal top 5 list of things that make me happy, fluffy white cumulus clouds on bright blue skies is number 2. Clouds in general are another one of my favorite things, and are one of my favorite topics in meteorology, and one of my favorite things to teach in Earth Science. I love cloud classification, and I am usually that person who will name drop the scientific name of the cloud formation outside. I also love cloud watching and finding shaped and pictures in the clouds. So naturally, this was my favorite case in the Tempus Fugit exhibit. The Lenticular Cloud photograph especially, since I knew what it was and with the lack of text and information that I (along with most others) wished for, it was something I could identify. Lenticular clouds are "lens" shaped (disc shaped) clouds and form in high altitudes. The images I have most often seen them with are with tall mountains. These clouds are often mistaken for flying saucers since they are so unusual looking. 

 

Examples of more Lenticular Clouds 

This picture was used in Edward Condon's Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects report in 1968. The Air Force commissioned this study to provide a scientific approach to UFO's and extraterrestrial activity. Condon explained most UFO sightings, including Lenticular clouds scientifically, and found no evidence linking know UFO's and aliens. There have been no large-scale studies on UFO's since this report. This photo is from the American Philosophical Society's (APS) collection.

Case I: Arioso 

This object is on display in the Arioso Case with other photographs of clouds. The artist statement explains that the exhibit is about how humans organize and measure time. Lisa Weidman, the Associate Curator of Museum Education at APS, explained that this case may suggest as to why and how we name something like clouds, and is there a right way to do so.  As a scientist, I believe absolutely. Classification is important. From an artistic perspective however, I can understand, how something such as clouds that are always changing, how can you classify them. The theme of the entire exhibition is time and clouds do have a large role in the space, including the large video on display in the center of the room, showing a cloud changing in space over time. Since clouds are not permanent, why classify them? Back to being a scientist, I like how NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has classified them based on height and appearance. Cloud classification is necessary for predicting future weather and atmosphere patterns.

Cloud images with their classifications

Photo of cloud used in video display

The display case, like all other cases in the exhibition, did not have any text or information about the pieces. Like the other cases in the exhibit, there was a book element in the case. Two more photos of lenticular clouds were on a book display. I do not know if the book is from the museum's collection. There were also pictures of clouds and their classifications, and a framed photo of the cloud used in the video reflected upon itself. All the media in this case were photos of clouds, providing a clear focus on the subject for this case rather than some of the other cases that were more difficult to connect. I think clouds are an interesting subject matter for expressing time and liked the artist’s use of it in the video and the tiny picture on the wall across from the video. I really enjoyed watching the video, and how while time passed, the cloud changed, though it was not obvious to the viewer that it was changing. 

Fields of study to further my understanding for this case and collection would be in meteorology to continue my knowledge of cloud classification. Another field to study could be Latin  since the name of the exhibit is Latin for "time flies". Arioso is Italian for "airy", though I could not find a direct Latin translation for the word. In addition, studying modern art and ways to interpret it would also benefit me since I did not understand some of the other cases. I did however really enjoy the objects used and the theme of Earth Science (geology, astronomy, meteorology). I just wish there was more text and content to tell me what the objects were. 

Those not interested in this object could be those with little interest in connecting natural events to an artistic approach and would rather have a scientific explanation of why and how lenticular clouds form. Also those who would rather know more about the UFO research done by Edward Condon. Opposing views would find this object to be representing an unusual phenomenon that nature has created and the curious idea of UFO's and extraterrestrial activity and what they mean to mankind. 

Other experiences would be to go outside on a nice day and watch the clouds. Watching how they develop over a span of time and how they change and move. Also trying to find a new way to classify clouds based on a new interpretation of clouds. Another idea could be drawing clouds and comparing with others what each person cloud interpretation looks like and how it differs from others could also explore the artist’s ideas of how time and clouds change. Also learning more about unusual cloud patterns and formations. I was reminded of this recent article about a new cloud classification, while viewing this display case. 

New Cloud Classification: Undulatus asperatus (agitated wave)

Favorite Object: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Land Snail Shells

The Academy's Malacology Collection

West Africa, East Africa, Cuba, Paupa New Guinea

The Marveling at Mollusks exhibit above the main entrance showcases shells and specimens of other mollusks from the Academy's Malacology Department. My favorite was the land snails. The collection includes Cuban Tree Snails, Emerald Tree Snails, and Giant African Snails. The shells are beautiful and unique. They are an example of how nature creates beautiful objects that are functional. Snails are one of my favorite creatures which are another reason why I like this object. I find them fascinating and my friends associate them with me because I like them so much. 

Additional Land Snail Shells seen at Shell Show Festival on October 20, 2012

The shells were collected by the Academy's scientists, in this case an expert in Malacology, the study of mollusks. It's on display in glass cases with black sand and black backgrounds. The stark background and sand contrast greatly against the specimens and allow them to stand out and pop. Each case has a label in front of it that is easy to read and provides and interesting information about the specimens. The bright green Emerald Tree Snail shells are vivid and stand out in the case, but in the jungles where they are found, they are actually camouflaged. Other specimens in this space include shells from clams, scallops, conches, nautiluses, and other mollusks. The array of different mollusk shells allows for comparisons between the species and notice trends and similarities. For example, the spiral patterns in snail shells are similar to the chambered nautiluses, and allowed me to think about the nature of mathematics and the Fibonacci spiral.

Shells in display case with text panel

Fields of study to enrich my understanding would be to study Malacology and learn more about mollusks and snails. Going to exotic locales such as Cuba, Philippines, and Taiwan to look at some of the snails in their natural habitat wouldn't hurt either. 

Those who would not be interested in this object could be those who find snails creepy or gross or those who are not interested in mollusks in general. Opposing views would find the shells repetitive and too similar to distinguish differences between the specimens. Others could also oppose to the information provided on the text panel and could want either more scientific details, or more fun facts. 

Other experiences that would engage the viewer would be the Shell Show Festival the museum held three weeks ago. The festival had crafts, activities, and live animals, along with the actual shell show that showcased scientific data and shell collections from experts to amateurs. The festival also featured Sailor's Valentines, which were stunning art pieces made entirely of shells. Programming I could develop would be about these Sailor's Valentines and how they are made and designed and other explorations into crafting with shells. Here are some of the examples of crafts and Valentine's I saw at the show. 

Piece made entirely of shells, including vase

Sailor's Valentine made entirely of shells and sea urchin needles

Large flowers made entirely of shells