Papua New Guinea -- Then and Now (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1978 September 20 - 1978 October 15

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened September 20, 1978 and closed October 15, 1978. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. Papua New Guinea – Then and Now was created to introduce Americans to the culture of Papua New Guinea; accompanying performances from Papua New Guinea groups took place in the Museum Auditorium during the exhibition’s run.

Summary

Papua New Guinea – Then and Now was created to introduce Americans to the culture of Papua New Guinea; accompanying performances from Papua New Guinea groups took place in the Museum Auditorium during the exhibition’s run. The exhibition and performances were organized by the government of Papua New Guinea to celebrate the nation's official independence from Australia, which began on September 16, 1975. Young guides from Papua New Guinea were present in the exhibition throughout its duration, including Eva Arni, a former Miss Papua New Guinea and Miss Asia. The exhibition was enhanced by photomurals, continuously-running slide presentations, and recorded sounds of birds and other animals and island flutes and drums (1; 2).

Highlights (1):

*Full-sized Highland roundhouse with thatched roof

*Outrigger canoe from the Papuan coast

*Lagatoi, a double-hulled canoe, with hand-stitched banana leaf sail

*Masks

*Headdresses

*Traditional garments including grass skirts, beads, and tapa cloth from different provinces

*Carved wooden figures

*Jewelry

*Display from National Arts School

*Sections on Papua New Guinea's early history, traditions of different regions, modern life

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "’Papua New Guinea – Then and Now’" Opens at American Museum of Natural History on Sept. 20, Cultural Exhibition on Island Nation is First in U.S.; Performances by Raun Theatre Company, Mekeo Dancers and Asaro Mudmen Will Highlight Opening Events.” July 26, 1978. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Artists from Papua New Guinea Perform Traditional Village Dances American Museum of Natural History in Conjunction with Special Exhibition, “Papua New Guinea – Then and Now,” Which Open to Public on Sept. 20.” August 28, 1978. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "1978-79 Annual Report for Department of Education.” [1978]. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library.

For more information on this exhibition see:

Jowitt, Deborah. “Dance.” The Village Voice (New York, NY), October 2, 1978.

“New Guinea exhibit marks first appearance in U.S.” Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY), September 22, 1978.

Turner, Pat. “Papua New Guinea on exhibit.” Courier-News (Plainfield, NJ), September 23, 1978.

“Urban hospitality for tribesman.” Newsday (Garden City, NY), October 12, 1978.

Verigan, Bill. “Here's Mud in Your Eye, Manhattan! But the City Never Even Blinked at a South Sea Islander.” People Weekly (October 16, 1978).

Verigan, Bill. “Our City Loves Mudman.” City News (New York, NY), October 12, 1978.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Education.
Related department (3, p. 2)

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 77.
Location of exhibition 1978 September 20 – 1978 October 15 (1, p. 1)

Arni, Eva
Exhibition guide and former Miss Papua New Guinea and Miss Asia (1, p. 2)

Asaro Mudmen
Featured performers (1; 2)

Mekeo Dancers
Featured performers (1; 2)

National Arts School
Had display in exhibition; National Arts School was possibly from Papua New Guinea, but unclear in Museum press release (1, p. 2)

Papua New Guinea. Government
Institutional partner (1, p. 2)

Raun Raun Theatre (Goroka, Papua New Guinea)
Featured performers (1; 2)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1978-1979: 48.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"1978-79 Annual Report for Department of Education.” [1978].

American Museum of Natural History photographic drawers
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [Black and white contact sheets of exhibition in preparation and on view]

subjectOf

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"Calendar of Events, October 1978." August 10, 1978.; "Calendar of Events, October 1978 Supplement." August 24, 1978.; "’Papua New Guinea – Then and Now’ Opens at American Museum of Natural History on Sept. 20, Cultural Exhibition on Island Nation is First in U.S.; Performances by Raun Theatre Company, Mekeo Dancers and Asaro Mudmen Will Highlight Opening Events.” July 26, 1978.; "Artists from Papua New Guinea Perform Traditional Village Dances American Museum of Natural History in Conjunction with Special Exhibition, “Papua New Guinea – Then and Now,” Which Open to Public on Sept. 20.” August 28, 1978.

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [Press releases, news articles, black and white photo prints with captions]

subjectOf

Papua New Guinea: Then and Now photographic slides, 1978. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.

subjectOf

Papua New Guinea: Then and Now exhibition photographic slides, circa 1978. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.

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