Precious Cargo: Childbirth and Cradle Baskets In California Indian Culture
a groundbreaking exhibition on traditional and contemporary California Indian Cradle Baskets
PRECIOUS CARGO:
Childbirth and Cradle Baskets in California Indian
Culture
Childbirth and California Indian cradle baskets are the topics of
a groundbreaking exhibition that opens February 20th 2004 at the Marin Museum of
the American Indian (MMAI) in Novato, California.
“Precious Cargo:
Childbirth and Cradle Baskets in California Indian Culture,” is a multi-faceted
project that examines traditional beliefs and practices concerning childbirth
and the use of cradle baskets, both historically and contemporarily, among Pomo
and Western Mono peoples, with additional material from 28 other tribal regions
throughout the state.
Precious Cargo is the first major exhibition to
present cradle baskets in their cultural context through direct collaboration
with contemporary California Indian weavers, according to the Museum’s Executive
Director Shirley Schaufel. As part of the project the Museum commissioned 30
California Indian weavers to create examples of cradle baskets characteristic of
their region for inclusion in the exhibition.
The project documents what
cradle baskets mean to contemporary California Indian peoples, reflecting their
unique view of the world and understanding of the meaning of the objects on
display. “It provides an opportunity for mainstream audiences to learn what
makes California Indian people special and what they share with the world at
large,” said Schaufel.
Currently scheduled for installation at 16 museums
across the state over the next three years, Precious Cargo will be on display at
the Museum through June 2004.
Opening events include a special two-day
Symposium, “The Making of Precious Cargo,” on February 18th and 19th at the
Embassy Suites in San Rafael. The Symposium will feature a premiere screening of
“Precious Cargo,” a 15 minute documentary video developed as part of the
project, featuring California Indian weavers and elders. Directed by PBS
award-winning filmmaker Terry Straus, it is narrated by veteran actor and arts
activist Peter Coyote, who will also serve as the Symposium’s Master of
Ceremonies.
In addition to the video, Precious Cargo also includes rare
photographs, a wide array of historic objects, a 197 page publication, an
interactive website, curriculum for educators and a range of public programs.
Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, California Council for
the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, the Fund for Folk Culture,
Cultural Exhibition Resources Alliance, the L. J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs
Foundation, and the Marin Community Foundation, Precious Cargo marks a
nationally recognized achievement for this local, yet regional
museum.
The Museum’s goal is to promote an awareness and understanding of
Native American history and cultures. It is the only museum in the San Francisco
Bay Area devoted entirely to indigenous cultures of all regions. MMAI offers a
wide range of educational programs including “Camp Coyote” for children, “Trade
Feast” for families, a popular Lecture Series for adults, now held on the
Dominican University of California campus, and year ‘round interactive classes
for school children that serve as an important resource for educators. Currently
featured at the Museum is an exhibition that explores “Dancers, Dolls and
Dieties: The Kachina in Hopi Culture.”
MMAI, a private non-profit
organization, is open Tues.-Fri., 10-3 and on weekends 12-4. For information
call 415-897-4064 or visit www.marinindian.com.
Media
contact only: Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations 707-792-4376
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/11/prweb90323.htm