When I was trying to decide which museum to visit, I decided to pick the Long Island Children’s Muesum. Not only have I been working at the Long Island Children’s Museum for 5 years and have been able to experience the different exhibits that are available to visitors over time, I chose this museum because it showed a different perspective. At the Long Island Children’s Museum, their exhibits are a reflection of what topics that this museum believes are important to teach and convey to children. The LICM has always emphasized the importance of implementing informal education systems as well as creating a space for visitors to have a good time. Even though the LICM is different from traditional museums where they don’t always have specific artists’ works highlighted over time, they do curate exhibits based on trends/themes that they want to highlight at the moment. For example, they had an exhibit last summer that featured the artworks of four Shinnecock artists in order to help teach visitors about Shinnecock traditions as well as share the stories of someone who is part of the Shinnecock nation. The LICM, just like any other museum, curates their exhibits based on a certain theme that they want their visitors to experience.
Recently, an exhibit currently on display is titled “Your House My House.” It is an interactive space where visitors are able to experience while gaining insights about houses and cultures around the world, highlighting different customs and how that is impacted by the environment that surrounds each respective culture. “Your House My House” revolves around the idea of how important it is to educate children about other cultures while also encouraging them to respect those who are different from their own. As kids are still having their minds shaped and constantly curious, the museum created a space that brings familiarity while introducing new things.
The “Your House My House” exhibit’s careful planning and execution are demonstrated by how well it can depict the subtleties of daily life in many different parts of the world. This methodical approach fosters a greater knowledge of cultural distinctions while simultaneously offering tourists a visual feast of architectural diversity. The creative curation of this exhibit is exemplified by two unique homes: a stilt house from a Malaysian fishing town and a Mongolian herder’s ger. Beyond a simple visual depiction, the exhibit in the Mongolian herder’s ger entails an interactive experience that captures the distinct way of life of a nomadic population. Visitors are taken to the rugged expanses of Mongolia by the artisan curtains that adorn the walls of the ger and the unique pieces that provide a look into the daily lives and customs of Mongolian herders. This meticulous attention to detail not only draws attention to the architectural features but also emphasizes how important handmade goods and cultural artifacts are in defining a community’s identity. Similar to this, a Malaysian fishing village’s stilt house provides guests with a tactile experience by including real props that depict the way of life for those who live in such homes. It also includes a boat where kids are able to ‘fish’, which introduces the main source of income to these villagers that represent the way of life there. The exhibit’s focus on these particular dwellings not only broadens visitors’ perspectives on life around the world, but it also invites reflection on the humanity that unites people from seemingly dissimilar cultures. By providing opportunities for direct interaction with a variety of living situations, “Your House My House” acts as a starting point for the disassembling of these preconceptions and the development of a respect for the various world cultures.
In a world where diversity is seen everywhere, this exhibit is something that I find significant. Even in the modern world when many different cultures coexist, prejudice toward traditions and rituals that are different from one’s own is still a major problem. Such prejudice frequently results from ingrained attitudes and practices. Exhibitions such as “Your House My House” are essential in questioning and transforming these deeply held beliefs. Through immersive experiences that highlight the diversity of homes and cultures across the globe, these displays hope to foster a tolerance that may not have been taught in other settings, especially to younger generations. It is hoped that these activities will help dismantle preconceived notions and promote a more tolerant and open-minded society by providing personal exploration and exposure to the complexities of global diversity in a space designed for kids.
I really enjoyed reading this because it takes a look at a completely different kind of exhibit. It takes an interesting way of looking at different cultures, especially in a way that children can understand. Most children would have a much harder time understanding diversity in a complex painting as compared to an interactive representation of home.
I have never been to Long Island, but it was interesting to hear your experience at Long Island’s Children Museum. I have always perceived museums to be enjoyed by adults, but your museum trip made me realize children can be the targeted audience of museums. Since children are very impressionable, the topics chosen to be presented by children must be carefully picked.
I loved hearing your experience on viewing the museum as a viewer rather than an employee. Experiencing the exhibits in this different view allows yourself to fully immerse yourself rather than something that is associated with compensation. I like how you examine deeply held beliefs and starting at the youth is a effective way to change the narrative.