the deeary: January 2011

I am a Museum lover! I always feel that going to museums is an alternative way to indulge yourself into deep history, rich culture and not to mention watching people from all sorts of background. After spending few hours in these so called "halls of history" and drinking a can of soda from the vendo, it's a realization that museums are not only meant for history majors and frequented by singles who does not want to be seen watching movies alone. From school children to the curious, I admit that museums have morphed and conformed with the changing times lining up exhibitions more interesting for the modern crowd and appealing to the discerning and general public, and of course to stay relevant in our present citiscape other than their distinct architectural beauty in most cases.

And I must confess that when I saw the newspaper featuring a special exhibition at the National Art Museum of Singapore being resurrected from the infamous Roman city of Pompei (79CE), I gave myself a good motivation to head to the museum instead of spending my lazy weekend in bed: "I must not miss this!"-

Presented by National Museum of Singapore, and organised by Melbourne Museum and Soprintendenza Speciale per i beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei

The best part it's free which further made my expired museum membership card irrelevant. However, there's always a trade-off.

Going to museums is indeed a test of patience and...

hunger and stamina.

Despite the long queue (a much expected event in a free exhibition), I still got immersed and mesmerized with the entire collection. Enjoy!

Trivia: In 79CE, the vibrant city of Pompei located in Souther Italy were buried under volcanic ash and pumice after Mount Vesuvius violently erupted. The interesting fact is that it was not until the mid-18th century that this city was slowly revealed to the world through archaeological excavations.

Digging mission in style.

and endless excavations (who doesn't remember Indiana Jones ?)

Finally, these adventures paid off and gave the universal mankind with these finds, and take note most of them are familiar with our eyes and still being used nowadays:

Bowls and smaller bowls!

Anchors away...

oh yes, clay pots!

Tip off the balance ?

I am not the only one who asked what's inside.

I've seen this in gladiator-like films and I wore them once during my grade school fair, cardboard style.

These writings in a big slab of stone impresses me. And this before our Ipad era.

Gladiator's shields but where's the spear?

"Pompeii was a bustling and prosperous Roman town with around 20,000 inhabitants at the time of its destruction. Its strategic location, mild climate and fertile soil provided the impetus to the productive agricultural industry as well as the thriving fishing and shipping industries...the city also grew culturally vibrant and people became more affluent." Credits: Collection of Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei

It was a hair standing experience when I got to see resin body casts of victims who were 'immortalised' during their last moments before the the violent volcano eruption. I heard soft expressions of surpise and silent "aawws" behind me. By the way, that shadow is not mine and couldn't be of the resin casts either:-)