Culture | MUSEUM FATIGUE

Mystery Object #25: Chinese Rockery Fountain

February 23, 2019 by Museum Fatigue

While visiting the Nanjing Confucius Temple area a few months ago with some visitors, I happened cross an incredible object. It was a water fountain for sale in a tourist shop at a dramatic discount. I was immediately captivated by its motion and drawn in by its fascinating and unconventional details. My companions initially thought that I was joking when I stopped to watch the fountain, and then after I inquired about its price, they realized I was serious. Look […]

Categories: China, Culture, Mystery Objects, Objects of Power, Uncategorized • Tags: water fountain

The Window Washer As Chinese Culture

November 22, 2016 by Museum Fatigue

In the popular imagination “Chinese Culture” is something which emcompasses those different things which are unique to China. Chinese cultural things on display at tourist sites will likely include things like silk brocade, cloisonné, jade carvings, paper cuts, calligraphy and teapots. As a Nanjing taxi driver described to me last week there are also telling habits that can be used to distinguish Chinese from others: “Americans drink coffee and Chinese drink tea.” Of course, simple reflection on many of these […]

Categories: Bodies, China, Culture, Labor • Tags: fear of falling, window washing

Essentializing Eastern and Western Culture Through Infographics

July 19, 2014 by Museum Fatigue

While going through some old files on my computer this morning I came across a file I had saved with a collection of graphic illustrations of differences between “Eastern” and “Western” culture. Drawn a few years back by a Chinese artist named Yang Liu in Germany, some of them are very humorous and thoughtfully executed. For folks who have experience crossing the differences between, say, China and Europe or the US, some of the images certainly seem to capture something useful. […]

Categories: Anthropology, Culture, Representation, Scripts • Tags: infographic, Liu Yang, The East, The West, visual culture, Yang Liu

Experience Japanese Culture Free of Charge! Let’s Try!

June 9, 2014 by Museum Fatigue

Just as I was heading to the gate to catch my flight leaving Narita airport I passed a last-chance culture display. In the vast neutral space of the terminal the small tatami covered stage, complete with paper screen, umbrella, lantern with Japanese characters and a koto was like some kind of cultural drinking fountain. A last sip before leaving? A final opportunity to get with Japanese culture, to collect a final experience, to take a photo. It was even free! Free culture […]

Categories: Culture, Exhibitions and Fairs, Japan, Representation, Scripts • Tags: display, Free culture, Japanese Culture, music, Narita Airport