For millennia, humans have fashioned objects with their hands. Each has a purpose—they may help produce and prepare food, clothe bodies, offer entertainment, communicate with the gods, and beautify the world. The record of human artistry reveals a diverse range of creativity across cultures, with fundamental similarities as well as differences.
Anthropology museums preserve this rich human record. Such museums strive to present objects in the contexts of their original makers and users. Only then can we properly come to understand and appreciate these objects.
In two museum galleries, the Hearst presents some of its major collections. The first gallery features objects from living and historical cultures, while the second presents archaeological collections from ancient civilizations. With the adjacent Native California Cultures gallery, this display offers our visitors an overview of the range of human creativity. These displays are complemented by the presentations in our two changing galleries, devoted to thematic exhibits.
Drawing from collections of almost 4 million objects, from most of the globe and from ancient times to the present, this display can only be suggestive. In the future, other cultures and collections will be featured online.
Ira Jacknis
Research Anthropologist
The exhibition was made possible in part by a generous grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Berkeley Civic Arts Program, and the annual support of the museum's donors and members.
Note to Web Viewers
Due to various practical limitations, the web version of From the Maker's Hand is selective and does not fully represent the structure and content of the exhibit as originally conceived and displayed in the Hearst Museum gallery.
To view the ancient civilizations portion of the exhibtion please vist: http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/exhibitions/cent/1_beginnings.html
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