Special Exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnology
September 12th, 2007, is the target date for opening an exhibition called "Vaka Moana, Voyages of the Ancestors" at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka.
This travelling exhibition was conceived at Auckland Museum, New Zealand, and has been under development there since 2004. A few years before then, the New Zealand National Maritime Museum explored the theme of waka moana (ocean canoes) with a symposium in 1999. The proceedings have been published and can be obtained from the Maritime Museum. Information about Vaka Moana can be found here, in English, and here, in Japanese.
In 2004, Auckland Museum began seeking venues for a touring exhibition on the waka moana theme. In 2004, Auckland Museum made contact with the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) in Osaka, and asked if "Waka Moana" could be hosted there. In early 2005, provisional approval for the plan was given in Osaka, and further planning is now in progress.
While "Waka Moana" will describe the early peopling the Pacific, the special exhibition will also examine aspects of island life today, through the life stories of individuals among the Austronesian speaking peoples.
Our role, as curators, is to bring elements together that (a) tell stories, and (b) encourage explorations of history, cultural connections, and human diversity. Our aim is to create an exhibition that is both educational and inspirational. To accomodate the latter, we will offer workshops in which visitors can discuss, express, and record their ideas using various media. As curators, we also have much to learn in the process.
The 2007 Autumn Special Exhibition will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the museum being opened to the public.
FOOD & FEASTS
Island Food has a nice page on traditional foods in Micronesia, with many photos.
SUN & SURF
Surfline - news and information about surfing worldwide