the Museum of Anthropology.
The building is exquisite.
I am in awe of it's beauty.
Words fail me here...
I will add images so that you can appreciate the amazing space that the architect has designed to house the collection.
The architect responsible is the late Arthur Erickson....you can read more about him here.
in the parking lot we see the banners hung from the lamp standards
a water feature near the front entrance
I like the grey of the rough concrete wall
as a backdrop to this organic First Nations Totem
First Nations Boxes were made from one piece of wood.
The wood was heated until the it could be bent and fashioned into shape
carved and painted
Boxes inlaid with abalone shells
carved totem, figure, mural
and a dugout canoe
The designs used by local tribes are recognized world wide
the art and skills are being passed down and work is currently available locally.
Floor to ceiling windows create the feeling of being outdoors
there is nothing about the building design that competes with what is on display.
I happen to be at the MOA with a partner in a local architectural firm...
someone who has the inside knowledge of structure, design, construction, and engineering
who is rivited
observing the intricate details that have been employed to erect such a world class structure...
he's asking me to take photographs
and I happily oblige
I think he's overwhelmed!
totems
it is a vast and open space
carved wood posts and beams were used as an entry feature by the First Nations people in their architecture
the contemporary concrete and glass structure alludes to the carved wood posts and beams of the traditonal first peoples entry feature
I will be posting more from the MOA
stay tuned...