Contemporary museums are often being told to be more like shopping malls, so we thought we’d take this idea to it’s natural conclusion, and relocate to the Westfield Queensgate.
Well, only for a day. Next Tuesday 24th September, from 10am – 5pm, I’ll be down at the mall manning an off-site Petone Settlers Museum booth. We’ll showcase a special competition to tell us about the ten mysterious collection items on display.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ve certainly been down in the store a bit lately, pondering over what really makes an object mysterious.
These tell a story, but I’m not sure just how mysterious they really are?
I pondered including these, but they took up such a lot of space in the display case! I did think they’d bring a bit of pomp and ceremony to the occasion though.
This object has always fascinated me. It’s a little too fragile to take to the mall, but it evokes some powerful narratives.
The astute reader could surely figure this object out?
I suspect some readers below a certain age might not know what these are.
I have probably made this mysterious object even more mysterious through bad photography?
So – a bit of work to do, anyway. But if you think you know what the mysterious objects shown in this post are, email me on emma.bugden@huttcity.govt.nz. The first correct email wins a copy of Warwick Johnston’s book The Gear: A History of the Gear Meat Preserving & Freezing Company. It’s better than a meat pack!
And those of you who live nearby, we hope to see you next Tuesday down at the mall.
Emma Bugden
Senior Curator