Right at the outset I must tell you that there's a rather shocking picture below. If you are a person of Victorian sensibilities you may not want to proceed further.
I went to the British Museum yesterday. Does the forecourt (above) look blazing hot? That's because it was! I'm impressed anyone was sitting out at the cafe, but around lunchtime it was actually quite busy. This photo was taken a few hours later, when things had slowed down.
I went to the museum partly to be in a cooler environment than our house, and partly to see a show of LGBTQ artifacts -- or more accurately, artifacts of interest to the LGBTQ community. They included political buttons from the '70s and '80s, an engraved print of a transsexual French nobleman from the 1700's, and antique coins and pottery shards depicting same-sex relationships.
And then there was this, from the Roman empire:
Those crazy Romans!
Some of these items were once considered so scandalous that they were housed within a separate "Secret Museum" section of the British Museum, no doubt away from the delicate eyes of women and children.
Anyway, it was an interesting exhibit, but incredibly tiny -- a shoebox-sized room that, ironically, was woefully under-air-conditioned. (Or perhaps not air-conditioned at all.) I enjoyed the museum gift shop more, where I found some non-scandalous birthday gifts for my nieces, which is a huge relief.
Speaking of LGBTQ, have you heard about Drag Queen Story Hour? I think this is possibly the best idea I've ever heard -- bringing drag queens in to read to small children. Kids love costumes and glitter and imagination, after all, and drag queens (at least the ones I've met) love to perform. Everybody wins!
Oh look! Everyone is too shocked to comment...
ReplyDeleteI think there is another word for the Romans apart from crazy but I can't think what it is right this minute.
Alphie
There must be something wrong with me. My special appendage doesn't have wings or feet and it isn't green and it doesn't hang from a chain.
ReplyDeleteMr Pudding always has some very detailed and accurate comments! I'm still laughing.
ReplyDeleteI was sat at the second table from the left recently
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was an interesting exhibit. Makes me wonder what the political buttons from the 70s and 80s said.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a fun exhibit in spite of the tiny space. The British Museum is one place I always hit on my trips to London. It's hard for me to think about excessive heat in London. Our temperature hit 119 yesterday. You won't see anyone sitting outside for lunch here.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea - Drag Queen Story Hour ... wonderful write-up! I love it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting item there, and hilarious comment from YP :)
That is a hilarious artifact. I wonder if some women were tempted.... OK, not going there. Ha!
ReplyDeleteOf course it's art! It's lovely in all regards!
ReplyDeleteAnd Drag Queen Story Hour charms me to pieces.
The Science Museum (!) in Vienna had/has a similar exhibition, all very academic, in fact, incl. similar art work with careful explanations in print.
ReplyDeleteI love the British Museum.
Actually, if I remember correctly, if you wander on into the Indian subcontinent area, you'll find a more sexually explicit works, statues, prints etc.
hey, I'd got to Drag Queen Story Hour.
ReplyDelete