Temporal Markers - Russell Museum, Bay of Islands
Temporal Markers; Defining Russell through Maps & Charts
Temporal Markers; Defining Russell through Maps and Charts, is a temporary exhibit in the Marie King Gallery at Russell Museum/Te Whare Taonga O Kororareka, which reveals Kororareka/Russell and the Bay of Islands through the eyes and drawings of early cartographers. Charts, maps and books from the museum collection reveal intimate discoveries by early European explorers’ and settlers to the Bay of Islands. We see Kororareka and the Bay from their point of view. We are taken along on their journey as they name landscapes, observe and record comments, interpret Maori place names and document Maori settlements, the geography and oceanscape. As Kororareka/Russell is colonized and acquired land is mapped and defined by new owners’ names, we are drawn to consider the concept of ‘our place’ and society as forever transitional.
Maps convey spatial information and concepts such as place, time, scale and geography through a graphic form of ‘visual language’ easily understood by most people. Old maps are often valuable ‘snapshots’ of philosophical and cultural contexts. Maps have been used since approximately 2300 B.C. as a way in which we come to know and establish ‘our world’.
Exhibition dates: 27 June – 14 September 2009
Venue: Russell Museum/Te Whare Taonga o Kororareka,
2 York Street, Russell
Tel: 09 4037958
Email: curator@russellmuseum.org.nz
Russell Museum/Te Whare Taonga O Kororareka
2 York Street, Russell 0202
Tel: 09 403 7701
Email: curator@russellmuseum.org.nz
On between 10 am to 4 pm daily.
Member Profile
Russell Museum/Te Whare Taonga o KororarekaThe Russell Museum aims to reflect the history of the town and to support historic preservation. The museum’s collection is important in promoting New Zealand culture because Russell – then named Kororareka – lay at the threshold of the earliest connection of the two worlds of Maori and Pakeha. The collection dates from this time onwards.
