Panama, although a small geographic area, has linked hemispheres and empires. The country’s position as a narrow isthmus has made it a bridge between continents, oceans, peoples, and ideas for thousands of years. The paradox of Panama, however, is that its difficult geography has also stymied the movement of people and merchandise, especially across the Darién region, an area of dense rainforest, sinuous river systems, and swamps.
Costa Rica: Between Oceans and Continents explores Costa Rica’s prehistory through remarkable artifacts from the collections of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and other institutions, illustrating how the country, perhaps due to its geographic isolation, developed in ways distinct from much of Latin America. It also examines Costa Rica’s extraordinary biological diversity and its unique commitment to sustainability through engaging, interactive displays.
Haiti: Culture, Religion, and Revolution displays Haitian paintings, ornate sculptures fashioned from recycled oil drums and other salvaged materials, and Vodou flags with intricately stitched sequin and bead patterns depicting religious spirits.
This is the first comprehensive exhibit of the Haiti Friends Collection, assembled over decades of working with Haitian artists. Through the perspective of these artists, you will experience the history and rich cultural tapestry of this island nation.
Masks are worn by peoples around the world for a variety of purposes – to allow the wearer to hide their identity or to assume a new identity for protection against diseases or malevolent spirits, to mock others, to symbolize one’s social status or position, and for amusement.
Masks in Mexico have been used for thousands of years to portray objects and themes as varied as plants and animals, old and young, ethnic, political,economic, and social differences, and especially the fantastical and supernatural.
Maya Spirituality reflects the enduring nature of Maya culture, with a focus on spirituality. The paintings and objects depict the ways in which religious beliefs guide everyday life and healing, the traditional forms of dress worn, how the ancient calendrical system is still influential in healing ceremonies, and the many ways in which historic beliefs and traditions have been melded with those introduced by the Spanish conquest.
Visitors to the Latin America and the Caribbean exhibits will experience an overview of the area’s geography, early cultures, history, colonization, ecology, resources, religion, education systems, and arts. Beautiful photography and objects enrich the visit, as well as demonstrate the vitality and incredible diversity that exists within this vast region.
The Presencia de América Latina mural was created by Mexican artist Jorge González Camarena in 1965. His acrylic painting on stucco fills the entrance hall lobby of the Casa de Arte (House of Art) of the Universidad de Concepción in Concepción, Chile. Following the devastating 9.5 earthquake and tsunamis in 1960 that caused widespread destruction in Chile and around the Pacific, the government of Mexico assisted in the reconstruction of the Casa de Arte and commissioned the painting of the mural.