The Phoenix area can’t be explored without a stop at the Heard Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum. They each have their unique displays and are so worth the visit.  The Heard Museum introduced us to the history of the Native American People’s of the area.  Not only where there artifacts but there were works of art from contemporary artists.  It also highlighted a dark period of American history in which the United States Government tried to assimilate and erase the Native American Culture by forcefully requiring children to attend government boarding schools where many abuses and deaths occurred.  Fortunately that practice has been abolished and many people who did survive that period worked tirelessly and championed the cause to  produce a change in the system.  I think it was extremely well done in that it didn’t just highlight Native American’s past but continued it through dark and sad times all the way through today.  It showcases how their art has continued to evolve to showcase their culture and how they incorporate traditional motifs into contemporary and modern art forms such as woven tapestries, masks, and sculptures.  

 

Observations:  Having a knitting background I could appreciate the detail and the craftmanship in the tapestries.  The ability to create a overall pattern and then proceed to weave it is a skill that is all but lost.  Thankful for those who have the talent, creativity, vision and skill to be able to to complete them.  








The Musical Instrument Museum also known as MIM showcased musical instruments across the world.  Highlighting each continent and also different people groups.  We were able to see and listen to a variety of instruments along with their traditional dress.  They had video along with samples of music displayed alongside of the instruments.  There is definitely a progression of complexity of instruments and melody as the cultures increased in complexity.  One thing remained constant throughout each continent and people group, there was a need for music.  Each group made music from items available to them and each type of music has a tempo or a beat.  I am sure there is a history and musical lesson here but I am just not knowledgeable to figure it out.  Once we started on the American wing it was more of a chronological history of music in the last 200 years.  We ran out of gas ourselves before we were really able to take the full museum in.  Two days may be needed for this museum.