A Walk into the Ashmolean Museum: A Cultural
Phenonemen.
Location: Ashmolean Museum of Art and
Archeology,
University of Oxford, Beaumont, Oxford OX1
2PH
I was armed with a Camera and a Day Sack. The
literature is at easy reach and the donation
box in the foyer helps us make the difference to
the Museum
and to our cultural understanding. Keen to see what
was ahead. From the evolution of man, the
development of materials, and the capturing of
objects,
sometimes of devotion to religion, sometimes
utilitarian tools which make living a more
constructive and purposeful existence. The work
starts in pre-history
right up to John Constable who indeed is a relative
to many including to myself from Suffolk, East
Anglia, England.
The facilities are available, first stop the luggage
hall downstairs for the day sack, last stop the
Dinning Room looking over the top of buildings
aside to the
museum.
In between is the exercise of the curator. The
cultural icons of historical era, meticulously
documented and in place of a delicate placing in
Glass boxes, where
the images are seen in a panoramic and open to
the eyes of the general public. Art boards tell us
information about the surrounding room, attached
a chosen
photograph of interest.
It would do no justice to describe each cultural
piece or show the level of understanding that the
museum skill at marking out and formenting the
messages of
the predecessors. This, you, the general public have
to realise is a colossus, a mountain of information
assigned and dedicated to the works in the
Museum.
As an Artist and budding Writer, I can only speak of
the wonder, the cultural sectioning of era,
kingdoms, civilisations and the imprint of Art
edifices. To be
downbeat there is so much that even the keenest
mind has to select carefully the amount of energy
to devote to looking at the objects of the past. My
role is not
speculative, not a crooner for culture but an
individual trying to understand what is in front of
me.
The shell of the Ashmolean Museum is the building
and the curatorship, the keen eyes of the staff, and
the tourist the world over. The architectural feat is
that 30
Exhibitions are set in the building. Central is the
axis of the stairwell, clean white stone and marble
of the stairs, we see our achievement on each level,
the level of new cultures unseen, often unheard of
before
except in name alone. The evident continuous
re-furbishment and helpful donations or sponsors
have immensely helped fund a lot of what is done
here.
The careful donation of money by the general
public
has make this centre of culture a centre piece of
excellence.
All are welcome, to visit, see and admire the works
of the world here and take care in understanding
the nature of what is at hand.
Information provided by Literature of the
museum.
'The organisation held together by the different
facilities: There is internet web sites available for all
to use. This is a truelly organised and efficient
museum.
Helpful tips:
Luggage hall is for bags, cases, day sacks and
assimilated possessions too heavy or difficult to
manage. Actually we are keenly encouraged to place
all possessions for safe keeping in lockers. You can
have a locker and key with a one pound coin.
Remember Cameras are allowed in most
areas. Please ask first before taking pictures of
people or staff, politeness aside it is general public
right to abstain from being photographed. Some
arti-facts either on loan or fading in colour need
protecting
from flash photography. The Modern Art Exhibition
up stairs is not suitable for photography.
Take it easy, walk with wonder, the speed of
walking and admiring is up to you. Remember this
is an institution that can be visited again and again,
to absorb culture.
If you are interested in the workings, and building
of the Ashmolean, there is a print section close to
the top floor and Restaurant, which records those
that re-furbished the Museum.
Participation is the domain of the general public,
become a friend, be given information of events,
talks, or in the most extreme of interest become
one of the members of staff. There is plenty to do
and think about.
The building itself a marvel of good Design of
space, and an airy feel for the Museum is an
outstanding piece of architecture in itself.
Go on give some of your money for the help for the
museum. Each person is admission free, but three
pounds each
would certainly help the maintenance and
tenureship of
the Ashmolean.
Of course, only Closed on Mondays.
