Romantic to Risqué to Family Friendly: Penn Museum Celebrates Love with Valentine-Themed Events |
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February 2, 2016, Volume 62, No. 21 |
This February, the Penn Museum, recognized as a WeddingWire Couples’ Choice winner for the third year in a row, invites friends and fiancés to celebrate Valentine’s Day through music, Museum Quickies (5-7 minute lectures) and an exhibition, SEX: A History in 30 Objects. For families, there’s a hieroglyphic Valentine’s Day make-and-take workshop.
For the most updated info on the Museum’s programs and for online pre-registration (required for some programs), visit: www.penn.museum/calendar
• Sunday, February 14, 1-4 p.m.,
Second Sunday Family Workshop:
Destination Egypt: Hieroglyphic Valentines;
Happy Valentine’s Day! Guests are invited to show their love to mummy, daddy, a sibling or a friend. Work with mixed media to create a valentine, complete with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Free with Museum admission.
• Friday, February 12, noon,
Pop Up Concert in the Galleries:
Penn Flutes: Romance in the Air;
Penn Flutes, an all-flute ensemble directed by Michele Kelly, “pops up” for a special lunchtime Valentine’s themed concert that reverberates in the galleries. This ensemble of Penn students and other members of Philadelphia’s music community presents widely throughout the region, often featuring new works for flute ensembles. Free with Museum admission.
• Wednesday, February 17, 6 p.m.
P.M. @ Penn Museum Evening Event:
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
The Greeks did it, the gods did it, even birds and bees do it. Visitors can explore the history of sex and sexuality through Ancient Lust gallery tours and the special exhibition, SEX: A History in 30 Objects. Each object has a story of its own. Visitors are invited to meet the exhibit’s curator, Lauren Ristvet, associate curator of the Near East section. The evening includes Museum Quickies (5-7 minute lectures), a burlesque show by Philadelphia Burlesque Festival and a make-and-take chocolate treat station. P.M. @ Penn Museum, supported by the Young Friends of the Penn Museum, is a great way to network with other young professionals and get a jumpstart on the weekend. Admission: $20; $15, Penn Museum members and PennCard holders (includes one free drink for guests 21 and older).
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Pipe Bag: One side of this pipe bag is decorated with an image of the Double Woman, a powerful, ambivalent figure in Lakota mythology and religion who, through dreams, has the power to lead women to promiscuity and transform men into winkte, members of the Lakota two-spirit, or third gender. The owner of this bag was likely a two-spirit individual. The pipe bag is one of 30 artifacts in SEX: A HISTORY IN 30 OBJECTS, on view at the Penn Museum October 17, 2015 through July 31, 2016.
Photo: Penn Museum. |
Benghazi Venus:The goddess of sexuality, beauty, and love is shown wringing out her long hair as she is born from the white foam of the sea. Although a cultural innovation of the Hellenistic period, representations of Aphrodite’s nude body have continued to impact ideals of feminine beauty and sensuality in Western visual culture. The Benghazi Venus is one of 30 artifacts in SEX: A HISTORY IN 30 OBJECTS, on view at the Penn Museum October 17, 2015 through July 31, 2016.
Photo: Penn Museum. |
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Bondo Society Mask: This type of mask is used in the initiation ceremonies of the women’s bondo societies of Sierra Leone and Liberia, which guide young women to adulthood. The mask represents the Nöwo, or spirit, of the bondo. The shape of the mask may be based on the cocoon of a butterfly. The Bondo Society Mask is one of 30 artifacts in SEX: A HISTORY IN 30 OBJECTS, on view at the Penn Museum October 17, 2015 through July 31, 2016.
Photo: Penn Museum. |
Female Figurine: Although most figurines like this one were found in domestic areas, this unique example was in a woman’s grave. The voluptuous figurine is completely nude, drawing attention to the female body’s reproductive ability as well as notions of feminine beauty and desire. At the same time, microscopic traces on the clay have revealed that this statue was probably dressed for special rituals and ceremonies. About 5,000 years old, this figurine is the oldest piece in SEX: A HISTORY IN 30 OBJECTS, on view at the Penn Museum October 17, 2015 through July 31, 2016.
Photo: Penn Museum. |
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