Ways of Seeing:
Multiple Perspectives on the Material World
A masters exhibit by Patricia Tomlinson that asks the question:
What do you think?
Many people visit museums everyday, but few probably consider what they bring with them to a museum. Our existing knowledge, expectations, family history, and our worldview all play a part in how we interpret museum objects.
One person may look at something in a museum and be reminded of his or her grandmother, another may remember a trip she took, and yet another may have studied something like it in a class. All of our experiences influence what we see and even what objects we are drawn to in a museum.
When you travel through this exhibit, think about which objects you look at first. Does one stir memories? Do you find another beautiful? Have you studied something like it before?
Section One Section Two Section Three
Section Four Section Five Ask the Curator
Click here to see photos of the exhibit during its 2004 run.
Museum of Anthropology University of Denver Department of Anthropology