Highlight Your Affiliation with a SITES Exhibition
The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) works closely with many Smithsonian Affiliates to bring diverse exhibitions to local communities. Many Affiliates complement exhibitions by hosting speakers or creating innovative programming to engage their communities and serve their missions. Two new exhibitions, Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science. and Things Come Apart- explore the fascinating world of art and science. Find out how to bring them to your neighborhood!
Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science.
Cooking salmon traditionally on iron wood sticks over wood coals.
This brand new exhibition from the Smithsonian and The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry raises the question: How do Native communities handle the environmental challenges that threaten their way of life?
Roots of Wisdom focuses on four examples of successful restoration efforts in Native communities. For example, when modern construction, farming, and dams blocked streams important to Pacific Northwest tribes, the salmon – a sacred food – had trouble making it upstream to tribal lands. The tribes combined the ecological knowledge inherited from their ancestors with their own scientific studies and worked alongside government agencies and neighbors to address the problem. Today, the salmon are returning to the streams.
What environmental challenges face your community? Roots of Wisdom gives host venues an opportunity to customize three additional banners to highlight local content. Complementary educational resources include clever online games, demonstration guides, classroom activities, and more to reinforce exhibition themes.
Perfect for those Affiliates interested in Native American topics or natural history and environmental sciences, the exhibition was created in collaboration with the featured Native communities and is supported by a National Science Foundation grant. Learn more here.
Things Come Apart
Did you know that there are over 216 components that make up a common power drill?
Photo of Digital SLR Camera, 2012. Sony. Component count: 580. © Todd McLellan
Through extraordinary photographs by Canadian photographer Todd McClellan, disassembled objects and fascinating videos, Things Come Apart reveals the inner workings of common, everyday possessions. The exhibition embraces key STEAM concepts and includes hands-on educational activities and supplies, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Learn more here.
“When taking objects apart, I organize the pieces in separate containers in the sequence in which they are removed. To arrange the objects, first, I position the main component, usually the exterior shell. After that, placing the parts in a beautiful shape is a bit of a puzzle, and I repeatedly rework the layout to make each piece fit in the space. Even the smallest objects can take three days or more. The full size of the disassembly, with every single object laid out, can be huge in relation to the original object. It is as if the true scale of the object is revealed only when it is taken apart.” – Todd McLellan
Installation from Upcountry History Museum, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina. Not only did the Museum launch the national tour of Searching for the Seventies, they used the exhibition to celebrate their new Smithsonian Affiliation. Photo courtesy of the Museum.
Last-minute booking opportunities
Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project
Nov 21, 2015 – January 31, 2016
Reduced fee: $5,000, plus outgoing shipping (opening date negotiable)
What’s Up, Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones
December 12, 2015 – April 10, 2016
Reduced fee: $35,000 including shipping
Patios, Pools, & the Invention of the American Backyard
December 19, 2015 – February 28, 2016
Reduced fee: $4,000, plus outgoing shipping
