American Philosophical Society Object

Nocturne (Written for the night)
Tempus Fugit: Time Flies
Antonia Contro
2012

The "object" that I have chosen at the American Philosophical Society is "Nocturne" which is window #4 of the Tempus Fugit: Time Flies exhibition.  This "window" includes multiple objects that are all related to the passing of time and scientific contributions to the field of astronomy and how it relates to time.  The artist who designed the entire exhibition at the APS is Antonia Contro, and in each of the nine windows there are historic objects along side with Antonia's artistic interpretation of those objects.     

This object is important to those who are interested in science and how time has been recorded in the past, and how theories about time have developed over the years.  It might also be very important for people who have an appreciation for art installations and artistic interpretations.  This window is on display because it fits into the theme of "Time Flies," because it holds examples about how specific people recorded the passing of time (based on lunar and astronomical events).  The historic items that are in this display were not acquired with the intent to be displayed alongside an artist's interpretation, but to be an informative piece of work to convey some type of information to people.  Also, they were intended to be a reference to the scientific work of those who have shaped the field.  But despite that, it is now displayed in this way.  The objects in this case interact with each other as if they are all communicating information from one to the next.  

Theorica Verdadeira Das Mares
(Treatise on the true theory of tides)
Jacob de Castro Sarmento, London, 1737

Cosmographicus Liber Petri Apaiani
Mathematici Studiose Collectus
Peter Apian, 1524

The books in this window are all open and frozen in the position as if someone were reading them.  It is a great source to be able to see first hand the writings of these famous manuscripts.  

There are not any labels or panels in the entire exhibition that provide information to the importance of these objects.  This makes it extremely difficult for visitors to understand what the artist was trying to do in designing this exhibition.  Also, visitors might not even be aware that this is an artist's installation, or what the objects actually are.  Visitors might not want to return to the APS because they might believe that this is the type of exhibition that is always at the museum.  Most of the APS's visitors are tourists and others who are visiting Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.  These visitors are most likely not interested in this object, because they might want to see the historical relevance of the objects, and be provided with content and information.  Also, the members of the museum have expressed distaste for the style of this exhibition, especially since they are all scholarly people that are interested in facts rather than artistic interpretation.  However, there is an artist's statement that can be found on the wall that mentions the purpose or intent of this exhibition.  There are also small paragraphs that explain each "window," but they are written in a way that also involves interpretation from the viewer.  People who are looking for factual information might not appreciate this type of representation.     

In order to enrich my understanding of this aspect of the exhibition, I would be interested in learning more about Peter Apian and Jacob de Castro Sarmento.  It would be interesting to know what their theories and observations contributed to the field.  Peter Apian's observation of a lunar eclipse on October 28, 1547 is listed on NASA's website as the longest partial lunar eclipse.  It would also be good to know how the artist decided to place these objects.  What was her thought process, and how did she choose each historic piece.  The interesting aspect of this installation, is that all visitors will have a different perspective or narrative to the objects.  Because there are not any labels, visitors have to make personal connections to the works.  This was intended by Antonia Contro and it might be a way for people to reflect on how time is experienced differently by everyone.  

I think that based on the visitation that the APS gets, there should have been some type of signage within the exhibition to enable visitors to take something away from it.  When people go to a museum, they want to be presented with some type of information and see important and interesting objects.  Even though there are great number of important things that can be found in this exhibition, people are unaware of what they are looking at.  It might also be good to present a lecture by Antonia Contro in order for visitors and members of the APS to grasp the inent of this exhibition.  I really like that the American Philosophical Society is trying to broaden its audience by bringing in different types of exhibitions, but I think that there should be a progression in order for this type of show to be a success.