Staff Picks: Favourites from the Canadian Museum of History
Sylvain’s Pick: A Painting Worth Seeking Out
Sylvain Raymond, Senior Communications Officer
The painting was commissioned in 1957 by the British American Oil Company for the lobby of its Montréal headquarters. It was designed by Thor Hansen and painted on canvas by Umberto Bruni. Canadian Museum of History, mural_07.
Whenever chance takes me to this relatively hidden corner of the Museum, I am struck anew by this painting. It’s hard to remain indifferent when faced with the sheer size and beauty of this monumental work — a work, it should be noted, that is about 15 metres tall, or four storeys high! The painting fascinates me for its artistic style, which includes hints of Cubism (in my opinion, at least), as well as for its rich imagery. With numerous elements, patterns and motifs that evoke so many typically Canadian symbols, it tells the story of this country, in its own way.
The story of the work itself is also somewhat affecting. It is hard to imagine, but its very survival was in jeopardy when the Montréal building where it originally hung in the lobby changed hands. Fortunately, the building’s corporate owners donated the work to the Museum, ensuring it a permanent home. That is how it came to be installed in the Nishga Girl Salon. It’s a part of the Museum that’s a bit off the beaten track, to be sure. But I promise it’s worth a slight detour.
Tracy’s Pick: A Most Magical Venue
Tracy Campbell, Special Events Coordinator
The Grand Hall at its most stunning during a special event. Canadian Museum of History, DSC2380
My favourite thing at the Museum is event-related. Whether for a banquet, gala, wedding or festival, the Grand Hall and its adjoining spaces always have a unique and spectacular impact. When guests enter the Museum’s main lobby for an event, it’s fun to watch their faces change as they take in the sight below. To reach the Grand Hall, visitors ride the escalator to the lower level, their eyes taking it all in as they descend. For cocktails, they may find themselves at the far end in the River Salon, the archaeological dig, or even by Bill Reid’s sculpture, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii.
How many people can say that they’ve had a chance to enjoy cocktails in a space filled with artifacts of this calibre? It’s truly unbelievable. When guests finally take their seats for a meal or a performance, they find themselves surrounded by the largest indoor collection of totem poles in the world. And let’s not forget the stage, with a natural backdrop and house fronts that enhance an already magical setting, while adding a little something extra to just about any gathering. It’s simply breathtaking!
Stéphanie’s Pick: A World of Discovery for Children
Stéphanie Fortin, Tourism and Marketing Officer
The Indonesia module in the Canadian Children’s Museum, at the Canadian Museum of History.
I’ve worked in the tourism field for many years, and have always had a passion for travel. Now, as the mother of three young children, my favourite thing is of course the Children’s Museum. Inside this museum-within-a-museum, I can help my children explore the world, while guiding them towards the discovery and appreciation of other cultures.
I especially admire the authenticity of the Museum’s various settings, as well as the various activities offered, all of which bring back fond memories of my own travels. The shadow puppets and the sounds of the gamelan in the Indonesia section, for example, remind me very much of my trip to that wonderful country! Through the different modules, I am able to really share travel memories with my children, while also passing along some of my own enthusiasm.
What about you? Have you found your own top pick at the Canadian Museum of History?