Museum of Anthropology: Luminescence: The Silver of Peru
byWhenever I’m asked to list my top local attractions or must-do experiences you’ll always find me mentioning two places: Stanley Park along with the Museum of Anthropology (“MOA”). Ever since our elementary school class visited the museum decades ago, I have been fascinated with the culture, history, art, and deep West Coast education I soak up with every visit to this Arthur Erickson-designed building.
Aside from its permanent collections, Canada’s largest teaching museum also hosts special exhibitions, the latest of which is Luminescence: The Silver of Peru.
The gleaming exhibition celebrating Peruvian history and culture will open to the public on Friday, October 5, 2012 and be on display until Sunday, December 16, 2012. It features more than 140 artifacts assembled from private and national museum collections, as well as from the Patronato Plata del Peru.
Bursts of bright light danced across the royal courts, ceremonies, processions and battlefields of pre-Columbian Peru. Reflected by the gold and silver of crowns, jewelry, regalia, costumes and banners, such luminosity proclaimed the divine power and authority of Andean priests and rulers for nearly 2,500 years.
Despite the 16th century Spanish Conquest, the importance of the reflective properties, and divine qualities traditionally associated with gold and silver, were not forgotten. New techniques were developed to satisfy the novel demands of the Catholic Church and colonial elite.
Later, Peruvian Independence inaugurated a revival of the indigenous use of silver, and the introduction of a new style of silverware celebrating the country’s distinct flora and fauna.
The Museum of Anthropology is located at the University of British Columbia, 6393 NW Marine Drive and is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm; 9:00pm on Tuesdays; and will be closed on Mondays after October 9th. The exhibition is free with admission which is $16.75 for adults, $14.50 for seniors and students, and $44.75 for families. Children 6 and under are free and group rates are available.
I have two passes to give away for the Museum of Anthropology so that the winner and a guest can enjoy this exhibition and the museum’s other collections. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 12:00pm.
Follow along on Twitter and Facebook to learn more.
Update The winner is Marina!
43 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I haven’t been since elementary school but have been dying to go back in the past few years. Thank you for highlighting this important Vancouver museum!
This exhibitin looks very interesting
I have never been there before, but it looks fascinating.
Looking forward to visiting the exhibition
I would love take my family and check out the new collections on display.
This looks wonderful and a piece of the world I’ve not seen before.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to MOA. I would love to go.
I would love to see this exhibit.
Wow I would love to go and see all of these historical prized possessions from my hometown of Peru. I so miss it so much since I haven’t been back there to visit it yet.
I’d never been to the Museum of Anthropology, it would be awesome if I get to win a pass to this exhibition
I’ve never been but it’s on my list of places to go.
I’ve heard MOA is amazing & I always recommend it to my guests…I’d love to go since I’ve never been before.
I always want to explore Vancouver, I’ll better go!
I love MOA
I take all my out of town guests there. It is truly a Vancouver Gem
The MOA is amazing!
Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to go.
A beautiful space, so relaxing to wander around the exhibits.
I haven’t been there in a while but this exhibit looks gorgeous!
I’m looking forward to seeing these cultural and artistic artefacts. Imagine what the conquistadors destroyed when they melted down the Incan gold and silver.
When I used to go on field trips there in school, I didn’t appreciate it as much as when I went as an adult. Would love to see this exhibit.
I’m going to Peru in the New Year and would love to check this out before I go!
Haven’t been there for a long time.
I would love to go.
I’m long overdue for a visit to the MOA.
I haven’t gone since the mid 90’s. Would love to visit.
I love how they are not sticklers about photos in there! A photographer’s dream: the artifacts, the building itself, and then the longhouse outside…
MOA!
would love to win!
I would love to go with my daughter who is fascinated with silver jewellery.
the exhibit looks awesome ^^
I could spend hours in there!
I would love to go!
exciting
Treasure!! My sons would love this!
It will be interesting to compare this exhibit with the silver carving of our north pacific indigenous cultures.
I’ve always wanted to go to this museum.
Looks like a very interesting exhibit
I haven’t been to the Museum of Anthropology in a while!
I would love to take my (American) husband-to-be! A day at the MOA together would be nice.
This museum is incredible! Please pick me.
Absolutely love this museum- always take out of towners.
Thanks for the chance. It would be great if I won.