CURA100 Group Meeting 24/11/2011

We discussed our thoughts and ideas with Adam Milford, Learning Officer from the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

He seemed impressed with our numerous ideas and enthusiasm but provided some cautionary health and safety guidance with regard to i.e. food based items.

He also advised that we need to focus on our proposal/objectives/reasons behind using this topic at the museum and not get too carried away with our never-ending ideas ;)
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We then moved to the library to discuss the main points of our proposal – being as follows:

The Day of the Dead exhibition is to be a community engagement project to encourage social inclusion and a wider cultural understanding. It would challenge the idea of a museum as a mausoleum and help to celebrate the museum as an institution rather than a sombre environment where things go to die. The DotD is an uplifting alternative viewpoint on how we deal with death.

It would include 3 new commissioned pieces namely:

>1 x sound piece (bells) – appeals to perhaps an older audience – religious connotations, meditative chimes
>1 x photography piece (tattoos) – appeal to a wide age group 18+ (although probably 15+) – especially because DotD imagery is becoming increasingly popular.
>1 x interactive sculptural(?) piece (ragdoll) – appeal to all age groups as a interactive commemorative piece.

We also want to include an activity/educational area for younger children and feature an altar somewhere in the museum.

With regard to the activity sheets, we want to liaise with schools which will not only promote the exhibition but encourage a greater understanding of other cultural beliefs etc.

The dates for the exhibition would coincide with the actual DotD celebration which would also coincide with Halloween – this may boost public curiosity and interest in the exhibition, especially with the familiar imagery.

Also, Charlie mentioned about finding some links between Plymouth and the Latino community i.e. mariners. (think I got that right – sorry if wrong Charlie?)
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We also discussed tasks we could start on including the dual info plaques on plinths i.e. one for adults, one for children at differing heights. Me and Will are going to try to put something together and perhaps use the laser cutter to provide an example. Siobhan is going to interview a tattooist re the recent surge in popularity of DofD imagery.
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I typed up a very, very rough first draft proposal using the above points and our previous discussions and ideas as a starting point.