450 Jane Stanford Way
Margaret Jacks Hall (Building 460), Room 020
Reevaluating Objects for the Market, curated by Leo Baek (Art History and Archaeology, Class of 2025) highlights a selection of objects that came into Stanford’s collections from the art or tourist market. Anthropological museums often extrapolate cultural importance from their objects, making assumptions that the objects had some practical or ideological use prior to their acquisition. The objects in this exhibition go against the grain as significant markers of economic practice across North America, South America, and Oceania. Their well-documented histories greatly illustrate the social environments of their conception. A ceramic sculpture exemplifies an innovation that blends traditional technique and consumer demand. The uniqueness of the figure is contrasted with woven textiles which illustrate a history of economic competition. A mask and a club from opposite hemispheres of the world both point to the economic value of material culture related to ceremonies. Join us in reevaluating these objects, valuable for their purpose in the market and not in spite of it.
Please note that this exhibit is not open to the public. Faculty, students, researchers, and campus guests may schedule a viewing by contacting us.