Diversity Week
Diverse Object Lessons
Andy Muirhead
Tuesday 4th August
6.00pm-7.30pm
U@MQ Building (C10A) level 3 - adjacent to the Central Courtyard
p s s for students, staff and general public
Hosted by Andy Muirhead from ABC TV's Collectors program
We can learn so much from objects. Just ask any collector!
Like many universities, Macquarie has developed collections across a broad range of academic areas. From ancient pottery, historic artefacts, scientific specimens and models and iconic artworks; every object has its own unique story to tell. These stories are about relationships between diverse groups of people and therefore make an excellent focal point for Diversity Week at Macquarie.
In a university setting these objects are the focus of research, powerful mediators for learning and teaching and part of our community engagement programs in public exhibition spaces.
We'd like to introduce some of the "hidden treasures" in our collections to you. No one speaks more passionately about objects than a curator! At Diverse Object Lessons during Diversity Week curators from Macquarie will highlight a selection of their favourite objects and share their knowledge with you in an entertaining and interactive format. Learn about some of the diverse museums and collections on campus that house these amazing objects and the stories they can tell.
We guarantee this event will expand your mind!
Six special objects will be featured at Diverse Object Lessons. To give you a taste of what's in store here are some clues to the identity of our featured objects, we'll let them speak for themselves. Can you guess what they are?
Object 1
I am one of only two of this type of object at Macquarie. Everyone's seen the other one but I'm a lot cuter. In fact I'm so cute you might want me as a pet, unfortunately it's a bit late for that.
Object 2
Even though I have a wooden expression, I can teach you how to fight dirty and will throw sand in the face of my enemies.
Object 3
Guess who's coming to dinner? I'm a functional object, some would say simply a piece of 1950's kitsch or is there a deeper story to tell?
Object 4
I am both made of earth and have been unearthed. I prefer to sit but will stand if made to do so. I have been known to release my inner goddess in public.
Object 5
I was stamped out long ago for the sake of change. Some might call me a pocket-sized Pakistani pachyderm. Though I've lost my sheen, my reputation remains untarnished.
Object 6
I used to be seen in the most popular places, "you spin me right round, baby, baby, round, round" (with apologies to the British New Wave pop group Dead or Alive)
Diverse Object Lessons is a free public event as part of Diversity Week at Macquarie University.
This event is presented by Macquarie University's Museums and Collections group and Macquarie University's Museum Studies program.