As I mentioned in my last post, the KeltenMuseums (Celtic Heritage Museum) in Hallein, Austria, was created with a lot of heart and soul. As we entered the museum, I was thrilled to catch this wonderful image of a young boy interacting with a plastic skeleton. I loved the boy’s gesture, the lighting in this room, and the overall composition of objects. So I simply wanted to share this image with you.
The Celtic people who settled this region in Austria centuries ago and began mining salt rocks were very creative people. The museum had a display recreating a home, in which a loom helped the Celts weave fabric. Also on exhibit were beautifully constructed metal vases, jewelry, and tools. I was most impressed with the elaborate keys, the largest of which was probably about twelve inches in one direction.
These hand-made items were not only functional, but also artistic. You may see here some of the purely decorative elements added to many of the items. The museum staff has also created an attractive display that shows the relative location of items found in one of the actual gravesites at the architectural dig site.
Some of the items, such as these sculptured metal pins, are still a mystery to scientists. But based on their location inside the graves (usually near the shoulders), they believe they were created to clasp clothing together. The pins are very stylishly designed animal sculptures and quite beautiful. It seemed clear to me that sculpture was important to the Celtic people, even if only created in relatively small sizes. That may have had more to do with the complicated process of shaping metal than any other reason.
There is a young Austrian couple working at the museum who have made this place incredibly interesting. The kids loved the interactive displays. Before Sylvia and I left, the husband showed us a new puppet that the wife had created. When we had arrived, he had been photographing children popping their heads into some science display near the skeletons. Despite being such a small community, this struck me as a top-notch museum.
For more information, click on these links:
http://lifeslittleadventures.typepad.com/lifes_little_adventures/2007/12/hallein-austria.html
http://www.visit-salzburg.net/surroundings/halleinsaltmines.htm
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2 comments:
Looks like you are having a great time. I haven't had great internet for a few weeks, but I'm back to reading now. Enjoy and thanks for sharing your trip.
Hi Jo,
Nice to have you back in the land of the liv . . I mean Internet ;-)
I think you must be in NM for summer? but when you get back to Texas, let us have lunch or something.
ciao, bella. keep pasteling beautifully!
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