http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/news?news_id=2929
Katie Flood
Jun 23, 2009
KW Children's Museum exhibit explores youth culture of the past and present
"We live in the space between the end of the movement and the
beginning of the revolution." These words were spoken by American
sociologist, novelist and cultural commentator Todd Gitlin in 1967.
Civil rights, free love and rock 'n' roll: the 1960s and early '70s
was an era defined by its many revolutions.
The Waterloo Regional Children's Museum introduces this rebellious
generation of the 1960s to the technological youth of today with its
new exhibit, "Talkin' Bout My Generation."
Inspired by the 40th anniversary of legendary music festival
Woodstock, "Talkin' Bout My Generation" compares youth culture of the
1960s to that of the early 2000s.
Curated by Virginia Eichhorn, this exhibit focuses on different forms
of expression displaying prominent issues of both generations, the
influences of youth culture on its own era and how young people chose
and choose to articulate themselves.
Upon entering the exhibition, '60s culture is very apparent.
Quotations in red paint from well-known forward-thinking figures of
the time are displayed along the walls of the exhibit.
"Music is the soundtrack of your life," reads one stated by prominent
television personality Dick Clark.
"Civil disobedience, that's not our problem. Our problem is that
people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and
starvation and stupidity and war and cruelty," read the words of
established author and social critic Howard Zinn.
The first two rooms contain a variety of colourful artifacts from
concept albums and authentic '60s apparel to historic videos from
civil-rights movements and anti-war protests.
All of these pieces recall the craving for greater justice and social
change that drove young people in the 1960s: a time when youth
utilized fashion, art and music to make their voices heard and
address issues of the era.
The final room of the exhibition reintroduces visitors to the 21st century.
Anonymous quotations in blue paint are displayed across the walls,
stating things such as, "I wouldn't go to a protest. I'd be afraid
I'd be the only one to show up" and, "For generations kids have been
trying to make themselves heard but now that we are, are we ready?"
Around the room are recent album covers and concert posters, but
instead of videos of historic moments there are voice recordings from
the teenagers of today.
The recorded voices are those of the 2009 Youth Advisory Committee, a
group of young people interviewed for their opinions concerning the
actions of youth and the issues of 2009.
"The problem is ... the majority of our society is unwilling to
stand up for what we believe in," says one voice.
Quotations and footage stress what the exhibit interprets as the key
paradox of modern society that in today's technological world
people are connected to each other more than ever.
However, while youth in particular may be well acquainted with these
tools, the recordings and pieces found in the room suggest that they
generally fail to utilize them to their full advantage, unlike how
the 1960s generation used fashion, music and art.
"Historically, the '60s were ripe with political unrest and social
justice vigilantes. It's important for younger generations to
understand the issues and conflict that came before them in order to
make decisions about things in current day," said marketing manager
of the Children's Museum Angela Olano.
By giving visitors insight to the youth they were, the youth they are
now and what they may one day become, the exhibit attempts to bridge
a generation gap between the revolutionary actions of the '60s to the
prospective voices of 2009.
"Talkin' Bout My Generation" opened on May 23 and runs until
September 7 at the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum in Kitchener.
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