Sunday, November 07, 2021

The Second Floor of MIM, Part One

It's well past time that I took you back to continue exploring the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale, Arizona. We began with some of the treasures on the first floor, and now I want to continue on to the second floor with the Geographic Galleries which feature music from over 200 countries around the world. The problem is, there is so much on the second floor that I'm going to have to split this into two posts. So this post will feature items from Africa, Asia, Latin America-- everywhere but the United States and Europe, the galleries on the other side of the floor.

Denis and I found ourselves referring to our Guest Guide maps available at Guest Service on the first floor and then texting each other our locations so we could find each other. I still have the map, and I'm referring to it now. Headphones are available for self-guided tours. Just get close to an item, the machine will be activated, and you'll be told about it.

It was extremely difficult for me to choose which photos to include, but no more delay. Let's get started!


As you can see with this exhibit on Singapore, musical instruments, costumes, and other items are included as well as videos in order for visitors to see and hear it all in action.

I loved this shadow puppet theater from Java. The first time I ever saw one was in the movie, The Year of Living Dangerously. I think one of the Harry Potter movies used the same sort of art.

India. With my love of textiles, I was thrilled to see all the costumes on display.

Look at the fabulous craftsmanship on this 'Ūd, a plucked lute, from Israel!

These are vessel flutes from the Bamileke peoples of Africa.

Pardon me while I drool over this cotton dragon robe from northern Vietnam. Look at that silk embroidery!

This is Masi bark cloth from Fiji. Made from mulberry bark fiber, the geometric designs and motifs are applied with stencils.

From Australia, a bark painting and mandapul (didjeridu).

A Danzaq costume from the Quechua people of Peru. Beautiful workmanship on the costume, but why are my eyes drawn to the shoes?

A Terno Yucateco worn by Mexican folkloric dancers from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Steel Dan from the Lesser Antilles.

In the hallway before I crossed into the U.S./Europe Galleries, I fell in love with this Tree of Life which illustrates the pervasive role of music in Mexican life. This tree was created especially for MIM by the artist Adrián Luis González in 2010. This quintessential Mexican art form dates from the 1940s when potters began to create elaborate ceramic tree sculptures to illustrate biblical tales. Eventually, these same artisans broadened their scope to include the human birth-to-death life cycle as well as family histories and other interesting stories. I want one!

Tree of Life, detail.

Tree of Life, detail.


I'm going to end the tour here before you overdose on photos. Next time, I'll conclude our visit to the Musical Instrument Museum by checking out the U.S. and Europe Galleries on the second floor.

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at a tiny bit of what there is at this fabulous museum!

14 comments:

  1. These are absolutely stunning, Cathy! I especially love the combination of beautiful artwork and creativity with the functionality of an instrument. It's all just gorgeous, and I'm happy you and Denis got to see that beauty up close!

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    1. I'm glad we finally visited this fabulous museum! A new exhibit will be opening soon, so you know where we'll be going.

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  2. While the musical instruments are amazing, it is the costumes and other set details that really bring them to life!

    I was drawn to those shoes too. How funny.

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    1. Exactly! The costumes and other details show what an important part of life music is.

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  3. What a unique museum! You guys are so lucky to have it nearby. That Tree of Life piece is just remarkable, and I love the way it plays on that whole Dia de los muertos look the way it does.

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    1. You may think I'm nuts, but when I look at the Tree of Life, I hear a mariachi band!

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  4. The Singapore exhibit brings back good memories - I've hoisted one of those lion heads, and even though they're built to be light, you still know you're working to make it dance.

    That Tree of Life is simply stunning.

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    1. I'm glad I brought back some good memories! :-)

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  5. What a wonderful museum! The musical instruments and the costumes are fascinating. I'm glad they included video for the Singapore exhibit--I love watching Lion dancing!

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  6. What incredible art, musical instruments and crafts have bene made by Indigenous peoples worldwide. Wherever people are, they make music and art.

    I love it all and consider it equal to the "European masters" of art.

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  7. Good. One neighbor once saidd, after I replied that those quilts ade by woen in the South, then exhibited at museus, are equal to European masters. She disagreed.

    So I defend Indigenous peoples' art and music. With the tools and aterials available, they ade timeless art and music.

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    1. Yes, they did, and I'm glad their work is garnering more and more recognition.

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