I've got a soft spot for the Vancouver Maritime Museum. I really do - ever since the field-trip I took as a young lad many years ago to see the St. Roch up-close and in person. But the museum is so much more than just the home for that important and historical vessel - it also consistently features interesting and educational exhibits in its galleries, and as such I was excited to have the opportunity to meet with Curator Patricia Owen and Marketing Officer Jen Hill recently to discuss a current exhibit, Don't Eat The Whale Meat.
photo by Gary Fiegehen
That this conversation took place not by phone or by email, but in the actual exhibition space was a treat in itself. Not only did it grant me the repeat viewing of the show that it rightfully deserves but on this particular weekday afternoon, just as the museum was closing to the public, a wedding was about to take place (with an aquamarine-blue colour-scheme no less). Just another day at the vibrant place that is the Maritime Museum.
As we enjoyed a delightful discussion that touched on such wide-ranging issues as maritime slang, the historical value bestowed upon collected objects accepted into a museum's permanent collection and of course, whale meat, we were occasionally interrupted by the passing through of finely-dressed folks carrying cameras and/or refreshments and other wedding supplies. At one point, our conversation was halted completely as the bride herself passed through the gallery space, the train of her wedding dress creating a soft, rustling sound on the floor that drowned out our voices entirely.
With Don't Eat the Whale Meat, Owen has rolled up her sleeves and delved into the deep-end of the museum's archives, bringing to the surface an assortment of artifacts and memorabilia that may have never been exhibited otherwise - printed material from the golden-age of steamship travel, reproductions of maritime comic books, ships in bottles and much more than I have room to mention here - the result of which is a light-hearted but nonetheless fascinating look at Vancouver's history as a port city.
photo by Gary Fiegehen
Patricia revealed to me that in putting this exhibition together, she was able to gain an intimate familiarity with the archives usually reserved for one who has spent many years with a single institution - herself having only been there little more than a year. It is of interest to note that the museum is regularly approached with offers of assorted items to add to the collection, and as such have a strict mandate in place to determine if any such item (or collection of items) meets the required criteria - it is simply a matter of physical space. It is finite - and the collection vast.
photo by Gary Fiegehen
Cleverly tied together by the use of the aforementioned maritime slang, there is a strong unity developed between the various elements of the exhibition as well as an emphasis on good, classic design amongst the selected material. Visually, the presentation is really tight, with both ladies quick to praise the hardworking and talented duo of Jim and Kirsten of Skipp Design for their hand is presenting a cohesive whole. During a phone conversation about their involvement in the exhibition, Jim explained his and Kirsten's enthusiasm for the design gems that Patricia had come up with - which also reflects the overall philosophy at Skipp Design: "As designers, we often feel when we are dealing with such great source material, that our best strategy is to present it as clearly as possible and allow it to be the focus."
photo by Gary Fiegehen
And it shows. Who knew a label from a can of salmon could be so beautiful?
Don't Eat the Whale Meat runs until the fall of this year - which means that you have a little time to check it out for yourself. But don't wait too long - or you might just miss the boat on this delightful exhibition.
Gary
