Jun 12 2011 03:43 pm
Posted by jennifer.yu1 under ADMIN ONLY - featured,June 13 Assignment
World of imagination
The Barnum museum brings us back to a time period where we can more than anything imagine a world with endless possibilities. Reading through the museum archives and exhibitions, I realized that a time where internet nor tv existed was a perfect time for show business and entertainment. Ranging from the “Feejee mermaid” to the world tallest woman, if it was for money these show business men would create anything to draw people’s attention. The website is a very useful tool of keeping me focused and immersed since I actually virtually enter into a museum space. If the website was formatted just like any other webpages with endless lines of information with photos here and there, I would be very tempted to navigate away from the page. Another pro is that the virtual space also has an interactive aspect that puts viewers in control giving us the choice to read about an object or an image that intrigues us.
The image below is of a woman named Jenny Lind. In September 1850, Barnum took this Swedish opera singer and brought her to New York to start a new cultural phenomenon, the celebrity. She was called the “Swedish Nightingale” and created what was called then “Lindomania”. Just like how a big celebrity’s possessions are auctioned off with a high price, her songs, clothes, chairs, and pianos were all negotiated and sold by Barnum. Ultimately she became the “standard for measuring not just sopranos … but women”. It is interesting to note that the cultural idea of “celebrity” has its origin in New York, instead of Hollywood and the way top celebrities today set the standards for young girls today was also seen back in 1850.