The UBC Museum of Anthropology is a nearby gem.
After a 18-month closure for seismic upgrading, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) has reopened. It is a magnificent museum that I think would interest Richmond News readers.
MOA needed to upgrade its ability to withstand an earthquake. The resulting construction is a “cutting-edge” base-isolation retrofitting that would allow it to survive a once-in-2,500-year earthquake.
The building, designed by Arthur Erickson, originally opened in 1976.
This relatively new earthquake technology uses movement joints at the bottom of the building to limit the transfer of ground shifts — earthquakes — to the structure.
As well, MOA now has two new exhibits, featuring Indigenous artifacts.
And the many works of the permanent collection Indigenous art are well displayed.
The MOA has the world’s largest collection of works by Haida artist Bill Reid including a wonderful laminated cedar sculpture titled The Raven and the First Men.
In all, there are more than 10,000 artifacts from throughout the world - a spectacular collection.
One of the new exhibits, entitled “To Be Seen, To Be Heard,” focuses on First Nations Peoples in public spaces representing their cultures during Canada’s colonial past.
The many traditional wooden sculptures are wonderful.
The museum store has a great collection of products for sale.
The end result is a museum that has new, vibrant exhibits and is safer for the public.
On the morning that I was there, people were visiting from Washington, California, Florida and Alberta.
Well worth the trip to the University of British Columbia campus.
For information on hours and exhibits, click here.
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