This is an innovative interdisciplinary book about objects and people within museums and galleries. It addresses fundamental issues of human sensory; emotional and aesthetic experience of objects. The chapters explore ways and contexts in which things and people mutually interact; and raise questions about how objects carry meaning and feeling; the distinctions between objects and persons; particular qualities of the museum as context for person-object engagements; and the active and embodied role of the museum visitor. Museum Materialities is divided into three sections ndash; Objects; Engagements and Interpretations ndash; and includes a foreword by Susan Pearce and an afterword by Howard Morphy. It examines materiality and other perceptual and ontological qualities of objects themselves; embodied sensory and cognitive engagements ndash; both personal and across a wider audience spread ndash; with particular objects or object types in a museum or gallery setting; notions of aesthetics; affect and wellbeing in museum contexts; and creative and innovative artistic and museum practices that seek to illuminate or critique museum objects and interpretations. Phenomenological and other approaches to embodied experience in an emphatically material world are current in a number of academic areas; most particularly strands of material culture studies within anthropology and cognate disciplines. Thus far; however; there has been no concerted application of this kind of approach to museum collections and interactions with them by museum visitors; curators; artists and researchers. Bringing together essays by scholars and practitioners from a wide disciplinary and international base; Museum Materialities seeks to make just such a contribution. In so doing it makes a valuable and original addition to the literature of both material culture studies and museum studies.
#967448 in eBooks 2013-11-04 2013-11-04File Name: B00G9Y5FOM
Review
136 of 138 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic PatternsBy KippyThis book was given a bad review by someone who did NOT even own it! What a shame they could not put their money where their mouth was and purchase it first. IF they even crochet they would NOT be disappointed whatsoever! I pre-ordered this book without knowing what might be in it as for patterns if any as it did not give a great description for sure. To say that I am beyond excited with the book is an understatement ~ probably the best crochet book I have ever purchased!!!There are so many beautiful patterns; with my being partial to the wraps I plan on making all of them first then will turn to the bags; hats; scarves and blankets.The designer is most willing to help anyone out that might get stuck with a pattern; not like some designers out there. Really dont see that happening though as the front section walks your through every single st used (written instruction in-dept photos) and Bonnie has a website that has videos of all sts she uses within her patterns.Most of the patterns are listed as intermediate; but I would say with my 50+ yrs of crocheting experience and at least 10 yrs of testing for various designers all over the world; as well as yarn companies that most of these patterns could be done by anyone with a strong knowledge of basic crocheting skills and the willingness to try new sts with the assistance of either written/photo walk-throughs or the videos!133 of 136 people found the following review helpful. Aran Artistry ~ A Must Have!By ElleI have long loved the beauty of Aran knitting and lamented the fact that I am not a knitter. Ive crocheted for over 40 years and its what Im comfortable doing. Bonnie Barker shares in the introduction to this fabulous book that her love for these stitches led her to put together these spectacularly beautiful patterns. I am so happy she did; because I love this book. So much in fact; that Im buying another copy to give to my sister for Christmas.Right away Bonnie reassures the reader not to "run away screaming in fear from any perceived difficulty in any of these projects." The Aran stitches all use the basic chain; single; half-double; double; and treble crochet. We are taught; in step-by-step photographs; how to combine these fundamental stitches to create the Arrow; Baby Feet Toe Popcorn; Basket Weave; Big Toe Popcorn; Braided Cable; Cable; Celtic Cross; Celtic Weave; Diamond; Honeycomb; Knurl (Reverse Single Crochet); Shadow Box; Shell With Picot; Wheat; and Woven stitches. The photographed instructions also include all the basic stitches and how to make fringe. If we get stuck; we can access Bonnies website for step-by-step instructional videos.Each project is given a degree of difficulty; starting with Easy and increasing up to Experienced; the difficulty rating is determined by the amount of specialized stitches used in the project; the more stitches; the more difficult the rating. Bonnie recommends starting with the easier patterns; such as a scarf; and then moving on to the more advanced as we become more confident. Practice; practice; practice.I particularly liked how we are given the exact yarns used in each project. A lot of the time; I really love the color or texture of a particular yarn used in the model; and am frustrated because I dont know what it is. Of course; we dont have to use the exact yarn shown in the projects; we can substitute another brand; by weight; and making certain it meets the gauge requirements. Some of the projects use #4 Fine; DK #3; #4 Worsted; and Bulky #5. While the cover photo shows the use of the typical Aran color; other projects; throughout the book are done in a variety of colors. In the Resources Guide; at the back of the book; the websites are given for each of the yarn companies that supplied yarn used in the book.Of the projects there are shawls; baby blankets; purse; backpack; carryall bag; afghans; scarves; headband; sweaters; vests; covers for MP3; iPad; cell phone; and even a pillow cover.Sprinkled throughout the book are a half dozen; or so; photos of the drop-dead gorgeous Irish landscape. Id love to see Ireland in person; but for now Ill look at the photos and dream; while Im crocheting the patterns in this book.If Bonnie Barker puts out any future Aran crochet pattern designs...Ill be all over it! I highly recommend this masterpiece. Happy stitching!15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. In love with Celtic Crochet!!!!!By C. R. ThornI love this book. They shawls work up beautifully and have so much depth and texture. The stitch description and pictures in the front are perfect and extremely helpful. I just finished one of the sweater back shawls for my neighbor and she loved it! It wraps and stays on the shoulder so nicely. I have also made: the basket weave purse (my friend who knits could not believe it was crochet); the hat and scarf which was going to be a gift; but it may actually be mine :) and the eternity scarf. The book itself just as a book is just beautiful; the photography is lovely. I hope more patterns and books come out soon.