Spectacles connect people in time and space and characterize both ancient and modern societies. This exhibition explores the spectacles that attracted large audiences within and beyond the ancient Classical world by engaging with six diverse geographical and chronological settings: from ancient Greek and Roman popular entertainments such as athletic competitions, theatrical spectacles and bloody battles in the arena, to Medieval pilgrimages and displays of relics and reliquaries, to the attraction of ruins and classical heritage during the early modern era, to the 20th-century spectacle of grand military parades, to the local performances and games organized by the Inuit community to celebrate their heritage and skills required to survive in a harsh natural environment. To capture the power of these shared experiences, the exhibition presents a selection of works of art from the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum. By guiding you through experiences across periods and places, Spectacle takes you on a journey to investigate the ubiquitous role of public spectacles in creating and sustaining shared identities. (A. Spinelli)
About the Project/Acknowledgements
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Middle Ages
Early Modern
Modern
