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Museum of Anthropology: Luminescence: The Silver of Peru

Comments 43 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Whenever 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.

MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology

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.

moa-silver
Silver Dance Crown, Vivian and
Jaime Liébana Collection. Photo courtesy of MOA.

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)
    • RT to enter to win passes for @MOA_UBC from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/eaLuF

    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!

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43 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. MarinaTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 6:32pm PDT

    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!

  2. AnneTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 6:59pm PDT

    This exhibitin looks very interesting

  3. ShelleyTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 7:32pm PDT

    I have never been there before, but it looks fascinating.

  4. KennyTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:11pm PDT

    Looking forward to visiting the exhibition

  5. CarmelTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:15pm PDT

    I would love take my family and check out the new collections on display.

  6. LindaTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:18pm PDT

    This looks wonderful and a piece of the world I’ve not seen before.

  7. DenbiTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:30pm PDT

    It’s been a long time since I’ve been to MOA. I would love to go.

  8. LinTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:42pm PDT

    I would love to see this exhibit.

  9. IzTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 9:50pm PDT

    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.

  10. JonathanTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 10:04pm PDT

    I’d never been to the Museum of Anthropology, it would be awesome if I get to win a pass to this exhibition

  11. DarcyTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 10:32pm PDT

    I’ve never been but it’s on my list of places to go.

  12. Vancouver AirbnbTuesday, October 2nd, 2012 — 10:33pm PDT

    I’ve heard MOA is amazing & I always recommend it to my guests…I’d love to go since I’ve never been before.

  13. au07Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 7:31am PDT

    I always want to explore Vancouver, I’ll better go!

  14. ChrisWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 8:18am PDT

    I love MOA

  15. EmiliaWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 8:32am PDT

    I take all my out of town guests there. It is truly a Vancouver Gem

  16. JulieWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 11:18am PDT

    The MOA is amazing!

  17. ShirleyWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 2:59pm PDT

    Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to go.

  18. LorraineWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 5:39pm PDT

    A beautiful space, so relaxing to wander around the exhibits.

  19. TracyWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 8:42pm PDT

    I haven’t been there in a while but this exhibit looks gorgeous!

  20. GeraldWednesday, October 3rd, 2012 — 9:31pm PDT

    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.

  21. MaeThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 1:36am PDT

    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.

  22. ChristineThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 8:11am PDT

    I’m going to Peru in the New Year and would love to check this out before I go!

  23. WallyThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 9:16am PDT

    Haven’t been there for a long time.

  24. TeresaThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 11:52am PDT

    I would love to go.

  25. SigridThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 1:55pm PDT

    I’m long overdue for a visit to the MOA.

  26. JackThursday, October 4th, 2012 — 9:21pm PDT

    I haven’t gone since the mid 90’s. Would love to visit.

  27. Steve v.Friday, October 5th, 2012 — 6:24am PDT

    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…

  28. LauraFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 6:36am PDT

    MOA!

  29. RubyFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 10:40am PDT

    would love to win!

  30. MichelleFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 1:05pm PDT

    I would love to go with my daughter who is fascinated with silver jewellery.

  31. annavancouverFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 4:38pm PDT

    the exhibit looks awesome ^^

  32. AndrewFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 4:44pm PDT

    I could spend hours in there!

  33. MarianneFriday, October 5th, 2012 — 9:06pm PDT

    I would love to go!

  34. MarySaturday, October 6th, 2012 — 12:11am PDT

    exciting

  35. KarenSaturday, October 6th, 2012 — 5:47pm PDT

    Treasure!! My sons would love this!

  36. TomSunday, October 7th, 2012 — 11:45am PDT

    It will be interesting to compare this exhibit with the silver carving of our north pacific indigenous cultures.

  37. tiffany akinsSunday, October 7th, 2012 — 11:56am PDT

    I’ve always wanted to go to this museum.

  38. Jenn SMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 9:55am PDT

    Looks like a very interesting exhibit

  39. Ashley ChowMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 11:50am PDT

    I haven’t been to the Museum of Anthropology in a while!

  40. EvangelineMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 11:57am PDT

    I would love to take my (American) husband-to-be! A day at the MOA together would be nice.

  41. KarenMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 11:58am PDT

    This museum is incredible! Please pick me.

  42. Ray MaddlyMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 9:03pm PDT

    Absolutely love this museum- always take out of towners.

  43. MagMonday, October 8th, 2012 — 10:53pm PDT

    Thanks for the chance. It would be great if I won.

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