Shakespeare, flowers, and fashion. Oh my!
Image on left: From Brooklyn Botanic Garden (just a little bell flower). Images on right: The Mugler Exhibition (I’m calling it deathly fashion–Coffin Purse-love it).
Today started as a chilly, cloudy, and drizzly morning but ended with a brief glimpse of the sun as we interacted and felt childlike having kale snacks in the Discovery Garden. Between the two museums of the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, there were many ways to see learning, educational programs, and collections care.
Being able to freely explore the Brooklyn Museum, on the optional trip, was great as it gave us an opportunity to think, look, and enjoy without having to be so investigative in our museum experience. The Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibition was AMAZING! There was a great connection between the many assets of my life. Being an English teacher and past costume designer for the school’s musical, this exhibit connected them both as there was the Macbeth presentation. Costumes, theater, and the digital aspect. I was in awe.
I have also selected the following dress as the one that best represents my personality.
If anyone didn’t see the exhibit check out this clip from the Brooklyn Museum
Meeting Katie Fermoule, (hope I spelled her last name correctly) the Director of Interpretation and Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden was wonderful hearing of her wealth of knowledge about the process of caring for living collections and interaction. I really enjoyed the walking tour as it kept me warm and gave me a chance for a different kind of immersion experience. As I discussed with Sheri and some others in our group, it was a nice mental break from yesterday’s impact with the heavy material of the National September 11 Memorial Museum. I’m sure John Falk would agree that it allowed us to feel safe in both of the spaces and really connected to all of our physical and mental well-being. I kept thinking about how he quotes Marilyn Hood’, “six major criteria by which individuals judge leisure activities:
1) Being with people, or social interaction;
2) Doing something worthwhile;
3) Feeling comfortable and at ease in one’s surroundings;
4) Havinga challenge of new experiences;
5) Having an opportunity to learn; and
6) Participating actively” (Falk, p.16-17).
We did all of the leisure activity moments today!
Now back to the educational aspects, there was a way for children to participate in both museums. In the Brooklyn Museum, there was an interactive wall in the educational area for children to learn a participatory art that will change and grow by taking a piece of washi tape and measuring their journey to the museum. At the Brooklyn Botanical Garden children were allowed to explore natural wonders and curiosity in the Discovery Garden. The Garden’s overall exhibits included many interactive labels. Then there was the Shinnecock Oral History with it’s digial aspect of hearing her voice tell the Native story. In fragrance garden filled you with scents to trigger memories and feeling. All of these areas encourage play and fun to happen not only for the children but adults too. I know many of us dug in the dirt, played an animal sound or had a light kale snack. What a way to spend the day.
References
Falk, J. and Dierking, L.D. (1992). The Museum as a Leisure-Time Experience. From The Museum Experience.
Left Image: Who’s been nibbling this leaf? It’s me! Right Image: Interactive board for children and families explaining the rules.
Swancey's Travels 
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