April 12, 2003
Museum of Jurassic Technology
From the Museum's Website:
Although the path has not always been smooth, over the years The Museum of Jurassic Technology has adapted and evolved until today it stands in a unique position among the institutions in the country. Still even today, the Museum preserves something of the flavor of its roots in the early days of the natural history museum - a flavor which has been described as "incongruity born of the overzealous spirit in the face of unfathomable phenomena."
I personally really enjoyed the visit. I enjoyed the "overzealous spirit" and think that incongruity is perhaps more interesting and entertaining than the alternative - or perhaps I'm just entralled by the idea of a group of scientists staked out in an amazonian jungle trying to capture an elusive "x-ray" bat that can fly through solid objects. Anyway, I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts about the trip - and perhaps this would be a good way to start some dialogue on this site.
Posted by will at April 12, 2003 08:30 AMComments
As everyone knows by now, i am a big proponent of alternative influences and other ways to look at interactivity. the trip to the musuem was another welcome respite (much like the disney lecture a few weeks ago - even moreso this time).
i knew virtually nothing about the musuem before arriving and was quite skeptical, esp when many of the opening exhibits did not appear to be functioning.
that skepticalness quickly subsided and i let myself enjoy the tall tales and the curiousities it offered.
much of my thinking recently has been trying to think outside of traditional structures and constructions. this trip certainly got my juices flowing.
and i particularly liked the remedies exhibit. (as will would say 'it was key.') also great were all the stereo images and photos. followed by the trailer park exhibit.
a great trip and well worth the time spent.
Posted by: tripp at April 12, 2003 06:50 PM
My favorite out of the remedies was the antidote for Love. Apparently, back in the old days, people used to eat ant eggs in order to cure them of being smitten with someone. Jump forward in time and we have now done chemical analysis on the casings for ant larva. They have found that there are actually endorphin inhibitors residing in them! I still ponder this everyday...
Posted by: Mike at April 13, 2003 01:04 AM
A sublime experience. An important commentary on the expectations that the word "museum" has inherited in our culture. I found myself enthralled with the collection of letters written by Americans to astronomers working at the Mt. Wilson Observatory. The earnestness with which the writers sought to share their eccentric personal beliefs and theories about the nature of the universe could be mocked by such an installation, the museum however was able to reverently present the private correspondence of individuals passionate about understanding the structure of the heavens and our place in it. I smiled when I though of how my own grandfather was fond of scribbling out his "definition" of life.
I highly recommend these stories on NPR about the museum.
Posted by: KMAC at April 14, 2003 05:56 PM
There's also a pretty good lecture that David gave last Fall at UCLA Design|Media Arts archived here:
http://eda.ucla.edu/archive/ram/winter02/wilson.ram
Posted by: sfisher at April 15, 2003 09:35 AM
