|
 The
Holmes Museum of Anthropology and the Ulrich
Museum of Art have combined their resources
to provide a wonderful dual venue to s how
the works of the Downing Collection of Asmat
Art to their best advantage. The
exhibitions are titled: “Spirit
Journeys: Art of the Asmat”, at the
Ulrich Museum and “Spirit Journeys:
Ritual and Ceremony Among the Asmat at
the Holmes Museum.
Holmes Museum of Anthropology
 The
exhibit at the Holmes Museum has been designed and
constructed by students under Jerry Martin’s
supervision with a strong interpretive and
cultural approach. The
design includes a reconstruction of a men’s house used for a mask ceremony that was observed and
photographed by the 2001 collection team. A
number of mannequins have been placed in the
reconstructed house to represent as masked
spirits, singers, and dancers. Visitors will view
large carvings under
 construction through a back
window. A small family house has also been
constructed to display household activities and
goods of Asmat women. A third area exhibits
carvings and ceremonial objects using large
photographs as background. The entire exhibition floor area
is
planked to reproduce the raised walkways used in an
Asmat village. A special area has been set up for a
continuous running of an introductory video that
includes footage taken professional films as well as
photographs taken by the 2001 expedition team.
Expedition photographs are also on display in the
south stairwell photo gallery of Neff Hall.
Ulrich Museum of Art
 The Curator of Exhibits of the Ulrich Museum has
designed and installed the museum's exhibition with
the collaboration of staff from the Holmes Museum. |
