Collections

I recently completed a project on collections. I have always had an interest in antiques, family heirlooms, and objects that survive the test of time. This project took the form of a book, and my professor suggested it would make an interesting thesis topic. Essentially I would create a series of books sampling different cultural areas and the objects that individuals keep. In the fast-paced consumer culture, the value of the object seems increasingly lost. How does this change from one culture to another? How does this related to Canada's history? I came across this book on Northwest Coast natives and the dissemination of their belongings.


The pace of cultural change, of the integration of the Northwest Coast natives into European economic and cultural systems, seemed remorseless. Looms, cradles, fishing nets and hooks, cooking boxes, weapons, bark and woven cloaks disappeared before the cheaper manufactures of western industry.




Cole, Douglas . Captured Heritage: The Scramble for Northwest Coast Artifacts.
Vancouver, BC, Canada: UBC Press, 1995. p 244.
http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.ocadlibrary.on.ca/lib/oculocad/Doc?id=10135998&ppg=269