“AMAZZONIA If you were Indian” exhibition

Ornamenti realizzati con piume di pappagallo: corone e bracciali

26 October 2013 - 19 January 2014
Museo Tattile Statale Omero, Mole vanvitelliana, Ancona

From 26 October 2013 to 19 January 2014, the Museo Omero is presenting a new exhibition, "Amazonia - If you were Indian", at the Mole Vanvitelliana, Ancona. This multi-sensory, anthropological exhibition uses sounds, images, objects and tactile impressions to immerse the viewer in the daily life of the peoples of the Amazon rainforest. The exhibition, curated by Leandra Gatto, displays original items from the private collection of Dr. Aldo Lo Curto who has worked for many years as an itinerant volunteer doctor in the Amazon.

The official opening is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th at 5.30 pm. Speakers include Aldo Grassini, director of the Museo Omero, Leandra Gatto, exhibition curator, Sandro Cittadini, head of the 'Time for Peace, Marche' NPO, and the director of the Museu do Indio (Rio de Janeiro - Brazil), in videoconference. Our special "If you were Indian" workshop for children and families will be held after the opening ceremony.

This exhibition, which is sponsored by the Museo Omero, aims to make visitors active participants, encouraging them to interact directly with the objects; we invitate you "to change your viewpoint and see things from the Indian side" and enter "this universe which is so rich and so different from ours".

Designed by the architect Massimo Di Matteo, the exhibition features approximately 75 ethnographic objects, grouped in themes ranging from artefacts to natural products from the Amazonian environment. These illustrate characteristic aspects and activities of the daily life of the natives (ornaments, toys, musical instruments, etc) paying due attention to the cultural differences present in this vast area. There are also two photographic exhibitions: "If you were Indian" and "Children of the Amazon", which are accompanied by descriptive texts by Dr Aldo Lo Curto, plus a video on his work as a volunteer doctor.

Organized in collaboration with the Associazione "Per il Museo Tattile Statale Omero" Onlus, Time for Peace Marche, Soconas Incomindios (Native American Solidarity Committee), Museu do Indio - Funai (National Indian Foundation – Rio de Janeiro, Brasile), the exhibition also aims to stimulate interest in the cultural, social and spiritual needs of the peoples of the Amazon rain forest (presenting them without paternalism or pietism) and to contribute to their defence. Many questions are raised about issues touching not only their lives but our very existence.

Admission is free.

Monthly in-depth meetings will explore some of the issues inherent in the exhibition, such as human rights, deforestation and sustainable development.

The Museo Omero Educational Services and the curator Leandra Gatto, have organised guided tours and educational workshops for groups and schools costing 3 Euros per person, except for teachers, disabled people and their carers. Booking is compulsory.

Show Info

26 Oct 2013 - 19 Jan 2014
Private collection: Aldo Lo Curto. 
Curator: Leandra Gatto.
Museo Tattile Statale Omero – Mole Vanvitelliana
Banchina Giovanni da Chio, 28 – 60121 Ancona
info@museoomero.it
tel 071 2811935 – Voice website 800 20 22 20

Opening times:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 16:00 −19:00, Sunday 10:00 - 13:00 and 16:00 - 19:00
Mornings by appointment only for groups and schools
November 1, 26 December and 6 January 10:00 - 13:00 and 16:00 - 19:00
Free admission. Guided tours and educational workshops on request: the cost is 3 Euros per person, except for disabled people, teachers and carers.