Current exhibits set to rotate out at Museum of the Rockies
With a new year comes a last chance to explore the Museum of the Rockies’ current exhibits. Head over to your neighborhood museum and delve into Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science. before it closes January 14th. Memory on Glass: D.F. Barry on Standing Rock, 1878-1891 closes one week later on January 21st. Here’s a closer look at both exhibits.
Overcoming centuries of environmental and cultural challenges can make for unexpected partnerships that result in extraordinary outcomes. In Roots of Wisdom, stories from four indigenous communities are brought to life in real-world examples of how traditional knowledge and cutting-edge Western science can be blended to provide complementary solutions to contemporary concerns.
From restoring ecosystems to rediscovering traditional foods and crafts, Roots of Wisdom invites you to understand the important issues that indigenous cultures face, discover innovative ways native peoples are problem-solving and contributing to the growing movement towards sustainability and the reclamation of age-old practices.
Memory on Glass journeys into D.F. Barry’s life, work, and legacy as he recorded the creation of the Standing Rock Reservation and the ongoing controversies that continue to surround American Indians and their relationship with the U.S. government to this day.
David F. Barry photographed Native American men and women, frontier scouts, soldiers, trappers, missionaries and other pioneers, recording the panorama of people who populated the northern plains in the late 19th century. Barry recorded forts, battlefields, and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in present-day North Dakota.
Barry developed long-term relationships with some of his Lakota and Dakota subjects, who called him Icastinyanka Cikala Hanzi, “Little Shadow Catcher.” This exhibition examines his career from a photographer’s assistant to a professional image-maker in his own right.
Produced by MOR Exhibitions, Memory on Glass will feature new research about Barry’s life by Museum of the Rockies’ Curator of History, Michael Fox.
The departure of two outstanding exhibits make way for another as Julius Caesar: Military Genius & Mighty Machines is set to open February 17th.
The upcoming array was born from the desire to recreate a fascinating period of history, as realistically as possible, to explore and experience the mighty machines, gadgets, and clever technologies of the Roman Empire. Showcasing over 100 interactive machines, virtual reality displays, reconstructed scaled models, recreated artwork and frescoes, the exhibition is presented covering four themes: Military Genius, All Roads Lead to Rome, Building Rome, and Entertainment & Lifestyle.
Journey back in time 2,000 years to discover the life, culture, and engineering genius created by the Roman Empire. Handcrafted by Italian artists, this exhibition contains interactive models that integrate science and history. Museum guests are encouraged to explore the innovative machines that continue to influence the technologies of today.
All exhibits are included with Museum admission. For more information and other upcoming events, visit www.museumoftherockies.org or call (406) 994-5257. •
