Extremes
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
16 May - 5 October 2008
With a blistering -40ºc winter and a sweltering +30ºc summer,
the Tlicho people of subarctic Canada live in harmony with a remote and hostile
environment that boasts some of the most extreme temperature changes on earth.
Now the National Museum of Scotland’s moving new
exhibition Extremes not only highlights
the traditional skills and crafts the Tlicho have used to thrive in these harsh
conditions but also the beneficial relationship they developed with Scotland after
they won the rights to self govern their own land.
The exhibition describes how the successful land claim led the
Tlicho to rediscover the collection of National Museums Scotland, which
inspired them to begin a journey to connect with their own past. Dating from
1858 to 1862, the unique collection contains some of the oldest surviving Tlicho
objects and documents the people’s long history of working and trading in
the 39,000 sq km Canadian territory.
Chantal Knowles, Principal Curator of Oceania, Americas
& Africa, said: “This partnership has been fantastic. The Museum has
been able to expand the current collection of fascinating Tlicho artefacts and gained
a greater knowledge of the objects. The exhibition has also been an inspiration
to the Tlicho community, encouraging them to revive and celebrate traditional
styles.”
As well as exciting information on the developing
relationship between the two cultures, the original and updated collections
will also be on display.
On show will be artefacts which examine how the Tlicho have
adapted available natural resources to survive in their extreme surroundings
and create beautiful objects, such as a ‘hunting bag’ (c1860) made
from the lower legs of a caribou. The bag was used to preserve and protect
dried meat from wind burn while travelling.
Many items on display, such as a ‘man’s summer
outfit’ (c1859), highlight the clear progression of European influences
on the Tlicho people. The everyday outfit is made from caribou skin and moose
hide sewn with sinew and the effects of increased European trade can be seen in
the shirt’s high military collar.
John B Zoe, an executive officer of the Tlicho government, said:
“We are trying to stay faithful to our culture whilst also integrating
into modern Canadian society. This is why the National Museums’ collection
became of interest - it provides a material link to our past.”
4 April 2008.
Please note that we changed our operating name to National
Museums Scotland in 2006.
The organisation runs six museum sites, including the National Museum of
Scotland.
Further information Website www.nms.ac.uk
Silver: Made in Scotland
Last Chance to See ‘An exhibition with the wow factor’ - The Times
Until 27 April 2008
http://www.nms.ac.uk/silver <http://www.nms.ac.uk/silver>
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