THE MAGNETISM OF AN 'IN-BETWEEN'

SPECIAL EDITION – MI FEATURE

BY: CHRISTINA BONDI

On Saturday, July 21st, I set out for the Ontario Science Centre, donning my Back to the Future t-shirt and hoverboard necklace. The reason for this expedition was POPnology, an exhibition visiting from May 19 to August 6, 2018. I eagerly walked into Proctor & Gamble Great Hall. Before me, popular culture and science/technology had actively joined forces, allowing for conversation. I stood at the threshold, between one and the other, and explored this thrilling ‘in-between’.

Baxter, a robot designed by Rethink Robotics, is positioned near the entrance of POPnology. Visitors are first greeted, and then introduced to the exhibition space. During Baxter’s brief presentation, its arms move and facial features change. The sign just below the robot reads, “Demos every 5 minutes. Even robots need rest!” Reflecting further, it is clear that Baxter illustrates an enduring need for humans to convey anthropomorphic features or mannerisms onto robotics.

Baxter welcomes visitors to POPnology. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi.

Baxter mentions four central ‘spheres’ in which to reflect upon the term popnology: ‘How We Connect,’ ‘How We Play,’ ‘How We Live & Work,’ and ‘How We Move.’ Throughout the exhibition space, visitors are able to learn about how science fiction and science coexist and converse with each other: in wrist and handheld devices, robotics, virtual reality, video games, 3D printing, space exploration (i.e. Mars and aliens), autonomous vehicles, AI, and so on. For example, I found the visual timeline of real versus fictitious robots to be quite effective. In the image below, you will see that these robots—whether they be conceptually or materially constructed—were, are, or will be a part of our popular culture.

Robots: a timeline. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi.

The exhibition features a time capsule structure with several significant individuals, in relevant fields: the visions and realities of select authors, scientists, inventors, and business people throughout history. These include, but are not limited to, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs. The capsule even includes four small displays (one for each ‘sphere’ of POPnology), which make up a popular culture collection (i.e. books, photographs, and other objects) of a time past.

The POPnology time capsule. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi.

Also, it was truly inspiring to see the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine and hoverboard; I always appreciate learning about how others envision and contemplate the future. But more to the point, I am a devoted Back to the Future fan.

 The Back to the Future DeLorean time machine. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi.

Both children and adults are encouraged to engage with POPnology’s exhibition space. The many interactive elements balanced and complemented the themes’ written text. Visitors manoeuvre robotic arms in order to remotely lift dinosaur eggs and create block structures. A rover drives around a small area of Mars, based on remote-control implementation and human engagement (i.e. click the buttons to assign movement). During my own visit, I thoroughly enjoyed a game of tic-tac-toe with ToeBot. Though quite clever and determined, I did find a way to double-trap the robot.

An engrossing game of tic-tac-toe with ToeBot. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi

To further obscure the real and the virtual, I also had the chance to ‘transport’ myself into two virtual settings (of ten) via an Oculus Rift headset. The experience was brief yet intense. In one setting, for example, I had been placed on the top of a building, overlooking a dystopic/futuristic cityscape. I spent the time struggling to convince myself that it was simply a virtual construction. Did I dare move forward and risk stepping off the platform?

Desperately seeking a return to some kind of material form, I then thought of 3D printing. The 3D printing booth at POPnology features both Formlabs and MakerBot printers—the latter in ‘additive action’ for passersby to witness! Even the ground-breaking, inaugural 3D printed car (Local Motors) is on display, to praise and applaud. 3D printing is quite a multi-purpose process, as it can produce prosthetics (i.e. Exiii HACKberry arm), medical models, and decorative items, just to name a few.

3D printing booth (left), Local Motors 3D printed car (centre), and Exiii HACKberry prosthetic arm (left).
Photos courtesy of Christina Bondi.

POPnology offers engagement with both traditional (i.e. arts-and-crafts) and digital forms of making. For instance, a workshop is available for children to construct a Mars lander, consisting of a parachute and other craft supplies as needed. This allows for a more traditional crafting experience. Nearby, STEAMLabs (a Toronto-based makerspace) calls for interaction via coding/programming. The result involves moving a robotic arm, so as to lift Minecraft-themed objects.

Coding with STEAMLabs. Photo courtesy of Christina Bondi.

As a small treat, I will end by sharing one last experience. Whilst exploring the exhibition, I came across the POPnology photo booth. Because of my Back to the Future attire, I thought it was especially fitting to document the visit. Below, you will find me, presumably, in transit through time; when selecting photographs for this article, I had noticed that the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine replica features the same backdrop (see image 4 to compare).

 “Where am I?” Photo courtesy of the POPnology photo booth, Ontario Science Centre.

Examine (through both written/visual content and experiential activities) the deep-rooted attraction between popular culture and science/technology at the Ontario Science Centre’s POPnology. This exhibition closes on August 6, 2018. No need to jump into your DeLorean time machine quite yet. There’s still some time!

A TALE OF TWO CITIES: ANDY WARHOL POPS-UP IN 'VANCITY' AND THE '6IX'

MUSEUM MONDAYS

BY: MAYA DONKERS

March 2015 – living in Vancouver, the word on the street was that Andy Warhol had come to the city. Obviously, not the ‘master’ of pop art himself, but rather 80 of his greatest prints and paintings. The best part – all for free.

September 2015 – having just moved to Toronto, murmurings surfaced of an Andy Warhol pop-up exhibition that had opened this past summer. What was the word on the street? Rumour had it that the Toronto exhibit was different but better than that in Vancouver.

This was a perspective certainly worth exploring. Not through the work of Andy Warhol – which is undoubtedly genius no matter where it is exhibited – but rather through the use of the chosen space in both cities.


VANCOUVER: WARHOL: A DIFFERENT IDEA OF LOVE

Opening Date: March 1, 2015 / Closing Date: April 28, 2015

The Warhol collection on display in Yaletown’s Maison Ai came from Canadian entrepreneur Ron Rivlin's private collection at Beverly Hills based Revolver Gallery, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Rivlin and The Andy Warhol Foundation provided Vancouver with the largest collection of Warhol works ever displayed in Canada (Scalza, 2015). In fact, the pop-up was so successful that Vancity Buzz announced that the exhibit was going to remain open due to overwhelming demand.

In an effort to avoid waiting in line, I arrived at Maison Ai early. Coincidentally, there already was a line stretched the length of the block. Not only did this bode well for the local coffee shops, but visitors also appeared perfectly content to wait on a crisp spring morning. It seemed that there was a collective understanding that the pop-up exhibit was focused on the exclusive experience of the viewer, only allowing a curated number of visitors in at a time.

Once inside the warehouse, approximately sixty visitors wandered the unfinished space that was lined with the vibrant colour of some of pop art’s most iconic faces.

A range of visitors enjoying Warhol at Maison Ai (Image Source)

The presentation of Warhol at a warehouse in Vancouver provided a unique parallel to Warhol’s Factory in New York City.

Andy Warhol in The Factory (Image Source)

This representation enabled the pop-up exhibition to be reminiscent of the socialites, political figures and celebrities who frequented Warhol’s Factory, without the added glamour of a ‘finished’ exhibition space.


TORONTO: ANDY WARHOL: REVISITED A POP ART EXHIBITION

Opening Date: July 1, 2015 / Closing Date: December 31, 2015

Also courtesy of Ron Rivlin's collection at the Revolver Gallery, and continued contributions from The Andy Warhol Foundation, the pop-up exhibit is in Yorkville’s Mink Mile retail space. The Warhol collection on display in Toronto surpassed Vancouver’s 80 works, with over 120 rotating works from Revolver Gallery.

Arriving early once again, I was the first one in the gallery. This time, there was no line and no buzzing chatter about "what happened last night" or "tell me what you know about Warhol before we go in." Although I am confident this is a downside to a six-month pop-up, with more accessibility hours, it was nonetheless notable as the rest of Bloor Street West was bustling with the start of the day.

A $5 student admission charge and I was inside the once-was retail space. Immediately noting the wall of iconic Campbell's Soup Cans, I was soon informed by exhibit staff that the space was curated thematically and chronologically – facts I found both relevant and distinctly different from the Vancouver warehouse.

Comparative view of interior space. Photo Credit: Maya Donkers 

Overall, the space is finished to perfection. I was taken aback by the intricate detail and glamour of the presentation. The space may not have transported the viewer to romanticized notions about Warhol’s factory, but it certainly enabled a discussion on glamour, consumerism and the embodiment of pop art.


VANCOUVER TO TORONTO: FINAL MUSINGS

I presented my impression of the space of two pop-up Andy Warhol exhibits that opened in the same year. As for my findings on whether one was ‘bigger and better’ than the other? I would say, to each their own.

For more than 30 years, Andy Warhol crafted work that remains instilled in popular culture today. As best described from Revolver Gallery, Warhol was a "mirror of his age" whose work challenged the american public to reevaluate the meaning of art if post-war consumer culture (Revolver Gallery, 2015).

Considering the realities of what Warhol's work challenged, I do find it interesting that both exhibits were geographically located in two of the wealthiest and consumer-heavy neighbourhoods in each respective city. Do you?


References

Andy Warhol Revisited. (2015, July). About the Exhibition. Retrieved from https://warholrevisited/com/about/

Scalza, R. (2015, March 2). Huge Andy Warhol Exhibit Opens in Vancouver. Retrieved from http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2015/03/02/biggest-andy-warhol-exhibit-ever-in-canada-opens-in-vancouver-for-free/

DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WATCH TONIGHT? TAKE THE MUSEUM MYSTERY MOVIE QUIZ

MUSEUM MYSTERIES

BY: MADELINE SMOLARZ

The days are getting longer, but the snow continues to fall and temperatures are still consistently below zero. Yes, spring is coming, but it remains beyond our reach. Sometimes, hunkering down with a good film, a bowl of popcorn, and a warm blanket is the only thing to do this time of the year. It was the 87th Academy Awards last night after all, so film is a hot topic at the moment. Since there’s nothing like a little suspense to make movie night more thrilling, I have put together a quick questionnaire to help you decide which museum mystery-themed film you should watch. Sit back, pretend you’re on Buzzfeed for a few minutes, and take Musings’ Museum Mystery Movie Quiz!

You too could be gobbling down popcorn while watching a great movie. On to question 1! Source.

1. Which museum would you visit if you could be transported to one right this instant?

a) The Louvre, Paris, France
b) Madame Toussauds Wax Museum, London, England
c) The American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
d) The Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey
e) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

2. What kind of book do you reach for before bed?

a) A detective-style mystery
b) A horror story
c) An action-adventure
d) A classic heist book
e) A romance novel

3. If you could time travel, which time period would you visit?

a) An ancient era, maybe around the time of Christ
b) The 1930s
c) Nowhere, I’m perfectly happy right here
d) The 1960s
e) The 1990s

4. Pick a museum object:

a) The Holy Grail
b) A wax sculpture of Marie Antoinette
c) The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex
d) An emerald-encrusted dagger
e) A priceless Monet painting

5. Which kind of lead movie character do you most admire?

a) The intelligent professional
b) The twisted, mastermind villain
c) The rateable and down-to-earth type
d) The smart, capable female
e) The confident billionaire

Time to total up your answers.

If you chose mostly As…
Watch: THE DA VINCI CODE (2006)
It’s up to a Harvard religious studies professor to clear his own name when he is framed for the murder of a Louvre curator, a process that happens to involve searching for the Holy Grail.

Source.

If you chose mostly Bs…

Watch: THE MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933)
Someone is stealing bodies from the local morgue and the figures at the Wax Museum are beginning to resemble the recently dead.

Source.

If you chose mostly Cs…

Watch: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (2006)
Under the watch of a new security guard, the exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History come to life at night.

Source.

If you chose mostly Ds…

Watch: TOPKAPI (1964)
A gang of assorted criminals assemble to carry out a classic heist in order to steal the jewelled dagger their female mastermind is fascinated with.

Source.

If you chose mostly Es…

Watch: THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1999)
A bored, brilliant billionaire stages the theft of a $100 million Monet from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but he may have met his match in the detective hired to solve his complex crime.

Source.

I highly recommend any of the options listed above, so if a film other than the one you were matched with catches your eye, keep it in mind for your next movie night. Enjoy!