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St. Louis Fact Sheet - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:15:00 GMT

WHAT:

One of the largest collections of art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican ever to tour North America is coming to St. Louis. The Missouri History Museum will host the premier and only Midwest presentation of “Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art” beginning in May 2010. The exhibition features approximately 170 rare works of art and historically significant objects, many of which have never left the Vatican. Taken together these works explore how the papacy has influenced - and been influenced by - the world throughout the centuries.

St. Louis is one of only three U.S. cities to host “Vatican Splendors.” Highlights of the exhibition include artwork by Michelangelo, personal objects, and tools used in work on the Sistine Chapel and Basilica of Saint Peter’s; works by masters including Bernini and Giotto; artwork dating back to the third century; venerated relics (bone fragments) of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; storied frescoes and mosaics; works by well-known sculptors; intricately embroidered silk vestments; precious objects from the Papal Mass; historical maps and documents; objects discovered at the tombs of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; and historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter’s in Rome.

WHEN:

“Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art” opens May 15, 2010, for a limited, exclusive engagement. Tickets go on sale to the public April 19.

Hours for “Vatican Splendors” will be, daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit mohistory.org or vaticansplendors.com.

WHERE:

The Missouri History Museum is located at Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park, near the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station. Visit the following Web sites for up-to-date travel information:www.metrostlouis.org; www.getaroundstl.com; or www.thenewi64.org.

TICKETS:

Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $13 for children (age 6-12). Children five and under are admitted free with adult ticket purchase.

Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Schnucks stores. To charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000 or 1-877-2VATICAN (1-877-282-8422). Tickets may also be purchased at the Missouri History Museum box office.

A Special group discount for 15-or-more tickets is available by calling 1-800-916-8212 or sending an email to reserv@mohistory.org.

For more information, call 1-877-2VATICAN or visit www.mohistory.org or www.vaticansplendors.com.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hendron or Nancy Milton

Insight Marketing & Communications, LLC

314-962-6400

Insight@InsightRocks.com

Everett Austin Dietle

Office: 314-454-3178

Mobile: 314-769-2777

ead@mohistory.org

These bios are available online at www.mohistory.org/vaticanpress.

29-Mar-10 5:15 PM

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM IN ST. LOUIS TO HOST PREMIER AND EXCLUSIVE MIDWEST ENGAGEMENT FOR VATICAN ART & HISTORY EXHIBITION

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS, March 23, 2010 - One of the largest collections of art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican ever to tour North America is coming to the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis for a limited engagement beginning May 15, 2010. “Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art” will present unique objects illustrating the Vatican’s impact on history and culture through 2,000 years.

Approximately 170 objects will be presented in galleries and recreated environments that enhance the visitor’s understanding of their historical and artistic significance. Items in the collection – which include mosaics; frescoes; paintings by Renaissance masters; works by well-known sculptors; intricately embroidered silk vestments; precious objects from the Papal Mass; uniforms of the Papal Swiss Guard; historical maps and documents and relics – are on loan from The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Vatican Library, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Apostolic Floreria, the Papal Swiss Guard, and private collections.

Highlights of the exhibition include artwork by Michelangelo, signed documents and personal objects such as his drawing caliper, and tools used in work on the Sistine Chapel and Basilica of Saint Peter’s; works by masters including Bernini and Giotto; objects dating back to the first century; venerated relics (bone fragments) of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; the first geographical map of Australia; objects discovered at the tombs of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; and historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter’s in Rome.

The exhibition will only appear in three North American cities, after which the items must return to the Vatican, from which they cannot be absent for more than a year.

All descriptive labels in the exhibit are bilingual in English and Spanish, as is an audio tour, available for an additional charge.

Tickets for “Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art” can be purchased online beginning April 19 at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Schnucks stores. To charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000 or 1-877-2VATICAN (1-877-282-8422). Tickets also may be purchased at the Missouri History Museum box office located at the museum. All tickets are timed entry and subject to availability. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $13 for children (age 6-12). Children five and under are admitted free with adult ticket purchase. A special group discount for 15-or-more tickets is available by calling 1-800-916-8212 or emailing reserv@mohistory.org. For more information, visit mohistory.org or vaticansplendors.com.

Hours for “Vatican Splendors” will be, daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Vatican Splendors” is organized and circulated in conjunction with the Congregazione per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli of the Vatican City State. The exhibition is produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in association with the Missouri History Museum. Objects in the exhibition are on loan from the The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Vatican Library, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the Apostolic Floreria. Additional objects are on loan by the Papal Swiss Guard and private collections.

The Missouri History Museum has been active in the St. Louis community since 1866. Founding members established the organization “for the purpose of saving from oblivion the early history of the city and state.” Today the museum operates the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park and the Library and Research Center at 225 South Skinker Boulevard near the Washington University campus.

Evergreen Exhibitions is a world leader in providing high quality, state-of-the-art exhibitions in collaboration with more than 200 leading museums and research institutions in the United States and internationally.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hendron or Nancy Milton

Insight Marketing & Communications, LLC

314-962-6400

Insight@InsightRocks.com

Everett Austin Dietle

Office: 314-454-3178

Mobile: 314-769-2777

ead@mohistory.org

These bios are available online at www.mohistory.org/vaticanpress.

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

Mosaic Panel from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Among Objects to be Displayed at “Vatican Splendors”

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the “New Cathedral,” is the crown jewel of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. A magnificent structure, the cathedral is Romanesque in style on the exterior and Byzantine on the interior. The church contains the largest mosaic collection in the world -- 41.5 million pieces of mosaic glass covering 83,000 square feet.

Like the objects on exhibit at "Vatican Splendors," the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is recognized for its artistic beauty and historical significance. It is fitting that a portion of the "Vatican Splendors" exhibit includes mosaic work from St. Louis' great cathedral.

The sample panel on display at the “Vatican Splendors” announcement news conference today was created by Barry Faulkner to show the process in which the mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis are made and mounted to the surface.

The art of mosaics begins with the design of the artist. The subject matter is usually worked out between the patron who has commissioned the mosaic work and the artist. When the subject matter is agreed upon, the artist works out a preliminary small sketch of his or her conception of the subject matter. The patron or committee commissioning the work then critiques this design. The artist works on modifications of the design until the design is satisfactory to everyone.

At this point the artist works out an enlarged watercolor rendering of the design, which is again critiqued until all elements of composition and color are agreed upon. The artist then renders a final completed enlarged watercolor design that will be the guide which the actual mosaicist in the studio follows when translating the design into the mosaic medium.

Working in watercolor, the artist enlarges the whole design to the actual scale of the final mosaic. This is the final cartoon, which will be translated into the mosaic medium by the mosaicist in the mosaic studio.

The final mosaic is very large, as many of the mosaics in the Cathedral are, the to-scale cartoon has to be cut up into sections small enough for the mosaicists to work on at their work tables. At any one time they may be working on only the face of a figure or a fragment of the setting. That is why they must have the medium sized artist’s rendering of the whole composition or a sufficiently large section of the scale cartoon before them in the studio to translate the particular section of the artist’s design they are working on into the medium of mosaic as the artist conceived it.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hendron or Nancy Milton

Insight Marketing & Communications, LLC

314-962-6400

Insight@InsightRocks.com

Everett Austin Dietle

Office: 314-454-3178

Mobile: 314-769-2777

ead@mohistory.org

These bios are available online at www.mohistory.org/vaticanpress.

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

What is the Vatican?

The Vatican is an independent state located inside the city of Rome covering an area of 17 square miles. It is the home of Pope Benedict XVI, the current head of the Catholic Church worldwide. The Roman Pontiff, who resides at the Vatican, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity of both the bishops and of the faithful. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.

Who lives there?

In addition to the pope, there are 400 residents including the Swiss Guard.

How long has Vatican City State existed?

While many of the properties were built centuries ago (during the existence of the Papal States, ended in 1870), including the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican only became a state in 1929 when the Lateran Treaty recognized the sovereign independence of Vatican City.

What constitutes Vatican City's government?

Benedict XVI is the official head of state. The College of Cardinals elected him for life. A Pontifical Commission chosen by the pope administers Vatican City including the Vatican Museums.

Can the Vatican Collections be viewed online?

Yes. There is extensive information at www.vatican.va.

What is the visiting policy of the Vatican?

Most of the Vatican is open to pilgrims and visitors alike most of the year. Daily tours are conducted in English and information is available at 001-39-06/698.81662 or email at uff.scavi@fabricsp.va.

When are papal audiences available?

Most Wednesday mornings the pope holds a general audience either in the Vatican or at Castel Gandolfo. Tickets are free and can be obtained by faxing 011-39-06/698.85863.

Who is the Papal Swiss Guard, and why does it exist?

The Papal Swiss Guard began its service in 1506 under Pope Julius II. Its role is to help protect the pope and guard the entrances to Vatican City and the Apostolic Palace, which is where the pope resides. The Papal Swiss Guard also performs honor guard duties at official Vatican ceremonies and events and is recognized by the colorful vestments that the guardsmen wear.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hendron or Nancy Milton

Insight Marketing & Communications, LLC

314-962-6400

Insight@InsightRocks.com

or

Everett Austin Dietle

Office: 314-454-3178

Mobile: 314-769-2777

ead@mohistory.org

These bios are available online at www.mohistory.org/vaticanpress.

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

Exhibition Glossary - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Alb

A white linen vestment with close fitting sleeves, reaching nearly to the ground and secured round the waist by a girdle (cincture).

Antependium

A hanging suspended over and in front of the altar.

Apse

The semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or aisles of a church.

Baldachin

A dome-like canopy in wood, stone, or metal, erected over the high altar of larger churches. (Baldacchino is late medieval form).

Baroque

An early modern style of art and architecture which followed upon the Renaissance and was prevalent in Roman Catholic countries.

Bas-relief

A sculpture executed upon and attached to a flat surface.

Basilica

An early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects. A Roman Catholic Church with papal privileges.

Beatification

Official papal recognition of a deceased Christian of heroic virtue as someone fit for eventual consideration as a saint. Such a man or woman is called a “blessed” and is allowed limited religious veneration.

Byzantine

A term describing the Greek Orthodox Church and the former Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople (Istanbul). Byzantine art emphasized stylized figures based on Christian themes and executed in rich colors, especially with gold backgrounds, and an architectural style that included round arches, domes, mosaics, and church floor plans in the shape of a Greek cross with four equidistant arms.

Calipers

Measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter or thickness.

Canonization

A papal declaration that a deceased Christian is a saint in heaven and is to be venerated by the Universal Church as such.

Catechism

A book for instruction in the teachings of the Church for the faithful and those preparing for initiation into the Christian community.

Cathedra

The chair or throne of a bishop in his cathedral church, on which he presides at solemn functions.

Chalice

A large cup that is used at Mass to hold the wine that becomes the blood of Jesus Christ.

Chasuble

A sleeveless outer vestment covering the stole and the alb (part of the proper garb of the priest during Mass). Colors vary depending on the season of the Church.

Ciborium

A canopy of stone, wood or marble supported on four columns over an altar, or the chalice-like vessel or bowl that contains the Host used in the liturgical celebration of the Mass.

Clergy

Ordained ministers of the church who are constituted in a hierarchy of Holy Orders beginning from deacon and advancing to priest and finally to bishop.

Consecration

Consecration, in general, is an act by which a thing is separated from a common and profane to a sacred use, or by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God by prayers, rites, and ceremonies. In the Catholic Church, it is the act of an ordained priest speaking the Words of Institution (Verba Domini) over the bread and the wine at Mass.

Council

A gathering of bishops for the purposes of examination and deliberation of matters of doctrine and practice. The Catholic Church counts twenty-one ecumenical or universal councils from the Council of Jerusalem recorded in the New Testament to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

Crosier or Pastoral Staff

Staff resembling a shepherd’s crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of their office. The staff used by the Popes Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI is topped with a crucifix.

Cruets

Pitcher-like vessels that contain water or wine at Mass.

Dalmatic

The outer liturgical vestment of the deacon.

Ecclesiastical

Of or relating to a church especially as an established institution.

Faldstool

A movable folding chair used in pontifical functions by the bishop outside of his cathedral, or within it if he is not at his throne or cathedra.

Filarete Doors

Created over 12 years, bronze central doors for the old St Peter's Basilica in Rome, cast by Antonio di Pietro Averlino (c. 1400 - c. 1469), dubbed Filarete (Greek "lover of virtue"), a Florentine architect and sculptor. Filarete's doors were preserved when Old Saint Peter's was demolished and reinstalled in the new Saint Peter's Basilica.

Fresco

The art of painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based pigments.

Gilded Wood

Wood overlaid with or as if with a thin covering of gold.

Halberdier

A person, usually a soldier, who holds a halberd, a weapon of the 15th and 16th centuries having an ax-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft. It is associated with uniform of the Papal Swiss Guard.

Holy Door

The Holy Door or 'Porta Sancta' is only open during a Holy Year (Jubilee), which normally occurs every 25 years, but which the Pope can call as he sees fit. On the first day of a holy year, the Pope strikes the brick wall with a silver hammer and opens it to the pilgrims. During the most recent Jubilee in 2000, the traditional opening of the doors with the beating of hammers was replaced by the pushing of hands. The message imparted by the Holy Door is that God's mercy reaches out to mankind's frailty.

Icon

A sacred image. Icons, like the saints that they most often represent, are proper subjects of veneration. Iconography is the study of icons.

Laity

The baptized faithful understood as the people of God. The term normally distinguishes the large mass of the ordinary faithful from the ordained clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons).

Lavabo

The first word of that portion of Psalm 25 said by the celebrant at Mass while he washes his hands after the Offertory, from which word the whole ceremony is named.

Liturgy

Rites and ceremonies prescribed by the Church for communal worship.

Martyr

Originally a word meaning a witness to the faith, it came to mean someone whose witness is given at the cost of his or her life. Martyrdom refers to the act of someone losing their life for the faith.

Mass

The central liturgy of the Catholic Church consisting of the celebration and preaching of the Word followed by the solemn offering of thanksgiving (Eucharist) in which bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ to be received by the faithful. The name is the derived from the final words of the celebrant in Latin, ite, missa est (“Go, having been sent”).

Micromosaic

Mosaics that use particularly small pieces of glass or enamel-type material to create small images.

Missal

A book containing all the texts for Mass for a whole year.

Miter

A liturgical headdress worn by bishops and abbots.

Mosaic

A surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces (tesserae) of variously colored material to form pictures or patterns.

Nave

Architecturally the central, open space of a church, west of the choir or chancel, and formerly separated by a low wall or screen. It is, in generally terms, the part of the church where the laity congregate.

Necropolis

A cemetery. The ancient Vatican Necropolis buried underneath the Basilica of Saint Peter is also referred to as the Scavi (‘Excavations’)

Oratory

A place of prayer, or a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass.

Ostia Magna

A round metal container which holds unconsecrated hosts used for the Mass.

Pallium

The modern pallium is a circular band (made with lamb wool) about two inches wide, worn about the neck, breast and shoulders, and having two pendants - one hanging down in front and one behind. It is worn only by the pope and archbishops.

Papal Bull

The leaden seals with which papal and royal documents were authenticated in the early Middle Ages; also applied to the document itself.

Paten

A saucer-like dish that matches the chalice used on the altar for the host (bread) that becomes the body of Christ during Mass.

Polychrome Mosaic

Mosaic made with or decorated in several colors.

Pope

The bishop of Rome who has jurisdiction as universal pastor in the Roman Catholic Church. His official titles are “Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City-State, and Servant of the Servants of God.”

Relic

Some object, notably part of the body or clothes, remaining as a memorial of a departed saint.

Reliquary

A container that stores and displays the bones and other remains of the saints. It is usually made of gold or silver and encrusted with gems to signify that saints are more precious than any material object.

Renaissance

The transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science.

Sarcophagus

A stone coffin, literally, a “flesh-eater”.

Sepulcher

A place of burial, or a receptacle for religious relics especially in an altar.

Tondi

Circular paintings or sculptured medallions

Transept

A rectangular space inserted between the apse and nave in the early Christian basilica.

Tridentine

Of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church council held at Trent from 1545 to 1563 or its decrees.

Veneration

Respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person In Catholic and Orthodox teaching, it is a term that distinguishes the honor given to saints in distinction to the honor given to God alone, which is called adoration.

Votive

Consisting of or expressing a vow, wish, or desire. The related expression, ex voto, means “from the vow” and refers to an offering left at a shrine in supplication for aid or in thanksgiving for favors already received.

Zucchetto

The small, round skullcap of the ecclesiastic.

Acknowledgements:

The Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent (newadvent.org)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

Photo Descriptions - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Object Photos

(Object photos credit: © Cittá del Vaticano unless otherwise noted)

Reliquary of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Gold and silver metal

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City State

Cast of Pietà from Saint Peter’s Basilica

Michelangelo Buonarroti

Cast 1975 from 1930 copy from original 1499

Plaster, marble powder

Private Collection, Vatican City State

The Holy Family with Two Angels

Bologna, Italy

16th century

Oil on canvas

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City State

Peter Saved from the Water

School of Giuseppe Ghezzi

1715 - 1725

Oil on canvas

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City State

Madonna del Sassoferrato

Giovanni Battista Salvi (known as il Sassoferrato) (1605 - 1685)

17th century

Oil on copper

Private Collection, Vatican City State

Statue of Saint Paul

19th century

Gilt metal

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City State

Two Angels (one of two)

School of Gian Lorenzo Bernini

17th century

Gilt wood

Apostolic Floreria, Vatican City State

Original and Unique Plaster fragment cast of the “red wall” in the Vatican Scavi, with grafitto “Petros eni” (Peter is here)

Plaster

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Portrait of a Cherub

Giacomo Zoboli (1681 - 1767)

1742 - 1748

Oil on canvas

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Original and Unique Cast of a Lid Portion of a Sarcophagus of the 4th Century Reused for the Pius VI (1775 - 1779) Burial: Adoration of the Magi

4th century

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Chalice of Pope John Paul II

2001

Gilt silver, vitreous gems

Private Collection, Vatican City State

Bust of Pope John Paul II

20th century

Enrico Manfrini, Italy (born 1917)

Bronze

Private collection, Vatican City State

Bust of an Angel

Giotto di Bondone, After 1304

Polychrome mosaic

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Votive Plaque from the Tomb of Saint Peter

6th-7th century

Gold

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Caliper of Michelangelo Buonarroti

16th century

Iron

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Cathedra of Saint Peter

20th century replica of 1705 original

Inlaid oak

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Halberdier, Half-dress

20th century

Cloth, metal

Papal Swiss Guard, Vatican City State

Exhibit Photos

Painting the Sistine Chapel

One of the exhibition's most dramatic rooms, this recreated environment takes visitors onto the scaffolding near the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to explore how Michelangelo painted his famous frescoes.

The Ancient Basilica

Bust of an Angel, a colorful mosaic attributed to the great 14th century painter, Giotto, is displayed in this gallery, along with architectural drawings, paintings and castings, telling the story of the original Saint Peter's Basilica built by the Roman emperor, Constantine.

Art of the Liturgy

Liturgical and ceremonial objects are often cherished objects of art. Objects ranging from an ornate 16th century processional cross to the chalice, paten and ciborium of Pope John Paul II are displayed as examples of decorative arts that reflect the beauty of faith.

To request a hi-res image, please contact:

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

St. Louis Lending Institutions - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Many of the works and documents exhibited in “Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art” have never been on public display or previously left the Vatican. Therefore, this exhibition has provided an occasion for undertaking a careful restoration and conservation process that will preserve these objects for future generations.

The following institutions have lent the objects for this exhibition, one of the largest collections from the Vatican ever to tour North America:

Apostolic Floreria - The office in charge of staging and decorations for papal celebrations and audiences.

Basilica of Saint Mary Major - This Basilica is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome, Saint Mary Major is the only one to have kept its original structure.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls - This Basilica was founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine I over the burial place of Saint Paul.

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples - Formerly known as the Congregation for the Propagation of Faith, it is the Vatican office that, since 1622, has had the responsibility of encouraging missionary activity throughout the world. Its archives are among the most important in the world, and the documents conserved there are fundamental to the understanding of the histories of people from all over the world.

Papal Swiss Guard - The Papal Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II. Currently numbering about 110, it helps protect the pope, guards the entrances to Vatican City and the Apostolic Palace, where the pope lives, and performs honor guard duties at Vatican ceremonies. The guard is noted for its colorful vestments: yellow-and-blue striped uniforms and helmets with red, purple or white plumes.

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter - The Reverenda Fabbrica is responsible for the administration and upkeep, not only of the interior and exterior of the Basilica, but also of Saint Peter’s Square, the sacristy, the papal grottoes, the Scavi in and around the tomb of Saint Peter, the Vatican mosaic studio, and the vast Fabbrica archives and collections of art and artifacts. It is also responsible for the management and welfare of all workers and pilgrims who visit the Basilica.

Vatican Library - Officially established in 1448, the Vatican Library is the library of the Holy See and one of the oldest and largest in the world.

Private Collections

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

St. Louis Spokespersons - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

EXHIBITION CURATOR

Monsignor Roberto Zagnoli is an Italian priest from Ravenna who has worked at the Vatican for fifteen years as Director of the Ethnological Department of the Vatican Museums. As Curator of the exhibition, Msgr. Zagnoli carefully selected objects from the participating Vatican agencies and organized them to tell the 2000-year history covered by the exhibition and commemorated in the exhibition guide book he co-wrote. Monsignor Zagnoli teaches Communications at the Papal University of Santa Croce in Rome. He is also the secretary of Cardinal Ersilio Tonini. Msgr. Zagnoli is the author of “The Painted Word,” a new series of books published by the Vatican Museums and Il Sole 24 Ore. The books explore the biblical passages that inspired the famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

CONSULTANTS TO THE EXHIBITION

Brother Charles Hilken, F.S.C., M.S.L., Ph. D., is professor and chair of the Department of History at Saint Mary’s College of California. Trained as a medieval historian with special emphasis on manuscript studies, he has twice been elected a research fellow of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto. He has authored two books, including “Memory and Community in Southern Medieval Italy: The History, Chapter Book, and Necrology of Santa Maria del Gualdo Mazzocca,” which was released in 2008. Brother Charles was the historical consultant for a film documentary on the Vatican starring the late Sir Peter Ustinov, and for a previous exhibition, he helped evaluate and select never-before-exhibited objects from the papal sacristy.

Sharon Simpson is the content developer and writer for the exhibition. For more than fifteen years, Sharon has worked nationally for leading museums and cultural institutions as a writer, project manager and consultant. She assembles and oversees professional teams to develop award-winning interpretive products for many audiences - from preschoolers to research scientists to the general public. Materials produced cover a wide range of project types, scales and media, and include the development and production of print and online educational outreach materials for large-format films.

EVERGREEN EXHIBITIONS

Anne Kinsey is vice president of exhibitions for Evergreen Exhibitions. She oversees the design, production and sales of exhibitions and events. She has more than 14 years of experience in the production of touring and permanent attractions. She graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in Production and English Textual Studies.

Mark Greenberg leads Evergreen Exhibitions as its principal shareholder and president, overseeing more than 15 museum exhibits that explore science, art and culture. Greenberg acquired the company from Clear Channel Exhibitions, where he also served as its president. Prior to that, he was general manager of BBH Exhibits, Inc., a private company serving the museum community that had merged with Clear Channel Exhibitions in 2001. Before joining BBH, Greenberg served in leadership roles with Miller Publishing Group LLC, The Walt Disney Company and Time Inc. Magazines.

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

Since 1988, Robert R. Archibald, Ph.D. has served as President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis. A noted lecturer and in-demand speaker, Dr. Archibald is the author of The New Town Square: Museums and Communities in Transition, published in May 2004, and an earlier work,A Place to Remember: Using History to Build Community. Both volumes explore the notion of place consciousness as central to community and hence democracy. The essays in The New Town Squareexamine issues of community, place, and culture from a variety of perspectives. Archibald presented the keynote address at the Museums Australia’s 2006 conference held in Brisbane, Australia. The title of Archibald’s presentation was “Community and Connection: Localism in a Globalized Culture.”

In November 2004, Dr. Archibald was presented with the St. Louis Award, the city's most prestigious award, conferred annually upon "the resident of metropolitan St. Louis who has contributed the most outstanding service for its development or performed such services to bring greatest honor to the community." In October 2004, Dr. Archibald was honored with the Governor's Humanities Award for Public Involvement by Missouri Governor Bob Holden. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in August 1998 and another honorary doctorate from Maryville University in May 2003. The honor was once again bestowed upon Archibald in May of 2004 when his alma mater, Northern Michigan University, presented him an honorary doctorate after having honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000. In 2008, Dr. Archibald received the Leadership Award at FOCUS St. Louis’ annual “What’s Right with the Region” ceremony. During the NAACP’s 2009 centennial celebration, the St. Louis Chapter of the NAACP recognized Dr. Archibald as one of the “100 Most Inspiring St. Louisans” due to his commitment to the betterment of the St. Louis metropolitan region.

Archibald earned his doctorate at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. His graduate and undergraduate degrees are from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. He served as the director of the Montana Historical Society and of the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, and has taught university courses in Michigan, New Mexico, Montana, and Missouri.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT LOUIS

The Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson has been Archbishop of Saint Louis, Missouri since April 21, 2009. Prior to his appointment to the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Bishop Robert J. Carlson was installed as the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan on February 24, 2005 at the direction of Pope John Paul II. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He was later ordained as an auxiliary bishop for his home archdiocese on January 11, 1984 and went on to serve as Bishop of Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 1994 to 2005.

The Archbishop’s other current appointments include:

Member, Canon Law Society of America
Board Member, The International Dominican Foundation
Board Member, Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, Michigan
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life
Co-Chair, Mission Advisory Committee, Institute for Priestly Formation, Omaha, Nebraska
Board Member, Los Cabos Children’s Foundation
Member, National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors Advisory Board
Founder, The Messengers of Peace Religious Community, Colombia, South America

Media Contacts:

Mary Hendron or Nancy Milton

Insight Marketing & Communications, LLC

314-962-6400

Insight@InsightRocks.com

Everett Austin Dietle

Office: 314-454-3178

Mobile: 314-769-2777

ead@mohistory.org

These bios are available online at www.mohistory.org/vaticanpress.

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

Photo Sheet - Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art

Mike Kempf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Object Photos

Object photos credit: © Cittá del Vaticano unless otherwise noted.

Exhibit Photos

29-Mar-10 5:00 PM

EXPLORE THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL IN OMSI'S NEW EXHIBIT - SPACE: A JOURNEY TO OUR FUTURE

Mike Kempf — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (Jan. 8, 2009) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts the opportunity to touch a piece of Mars, see a real Moon rock up close, take a spin on a space bike, or tour a full-scale future lunar habitat and more in the new exhibit Space: A Journey to Our Future, opening January 30, 2010. Space: A Journey to Our Future examines the history of our space program, brings to life current projects in space exploration – satellites, space telescopes, living in space – and provides a glimpse of future human space travel through highly advanced interactive displays. Space: A Journey to Our Future is one of the largest touring exhibitions ever produced on space exploration. The exhibit comes to OMSI through the generous support of local presenting sponsor Lufthansa and local supporting sponsors Chevron and Mentor Graphics.

“With the International Space Station, Mars rovers, and the LCROSS Moon mission, it is truly a golden age for space exploration,” said OMSI planetarium manager Jim Todd. “This exhibit will help people appreciate how far space exploration has come and hopefully will inspire future generations to go further and uncover more mysteries of the cosmos.”

“Lufthansa is delighted to support this exhibit and welcome visitors onboard for a truly extraordinary journey through space and time,” said Mark Lagler, Lufthansa District Sales Manager, Pacific Northwest.

Exhibit highlights include:

Space Exploration Artifacts - Visitors will see a wide range of artifacts from the past and present space program including space suits, a lunar rover tire, a camera from the Apollo program, early fuel cells and shuttle tiles.

Today’s Space Program - This interactive area examines the International Space Station, deep space probes, next-generation telescopes, living in space and space tourism, and NASA studies in robonauts.

Constellation Program - Visitors will get an up-close look at the Orion, the new spacecraft that will take human explorers back to the Moon, and the Ares rocket which will propel the new spacecraft.

Lunar Base Camp - Would-be explorers can literally step into the future and interact aboard a re-created future base camp on the lunar surface.

Create Your Own Mission to Mars- Through hands-on interactive displays and modules, visitors can design their own trip to Mars, from the design of the spacecraft to living quarters to supplies needed, and ultimately find out how successful their trip would likely be.

360-degree “Future Theatre” - In an immersive media experience, visitors will look far into the future of exploration and deep into space, pondering mysteries to be revealed and questions to be answered.

Representatives from NASA, NSTA, and national partner General Motors, along with leading science centers across the country, served on an educational committee for the exhibit to ensure accuracy and relevance in the exhibit’s educational message.

Space: A Journey to Our Future was produced by Evergreen Exhibitions and was made possible by national partner General Motors.

About OMSI

Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.

26-Jan-10 10:00 AM

Fact Sheet - Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:45:00 GMT

WHAT:

“Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies”

An interactive, high-tech, children’s exhibit traveling to 15 North American cities

NATIONAL SPONSORS:

Pfizer Inc, produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health

PURPOSE:

To take the mystery out of “killer” microbes. The exhibit explores what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa--”germs” to most people), what they look like, the history of infectious disease, emerging diseases and how researchers and individuals fight infectious disease worldwide.

SECTIONS:

1) Paris crypt, 2) Egyptian tomb, 3) Aztec ruins, 4) Early 1900s Main Street North America, 5) Microbe TV, 6) Microbial Universe, 7) Body of Disease, 8) Good Deeds, 9) Microbial Superhighway, 10) New Frontiers

EXHIBIT SIZE:

3,000 square feet

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Healer in Crypt - In the replica of a skull- and bone-filled Paris catacomb, a guide describes the bubonic plague in the year 1400 A.D. His beaked mask contains flowers and herbs thought to protect people from the deadly disease they believed was caused by poison air rising up from the earth.

Ramses Mummy - A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus, which attacked Ramses and probably killed him in 1151 B.C.

Aztec Ruins - An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

Microbial Universe - Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

Meet a Bug - Colorful, volumetric projections present six microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and rubella, as three-dimensional sculptures.

Microbe Quiz Show - This interactive television game show tests participants’ new-found knowledge with a true-false quiz.

Gobble De Goop - Players of this video game guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

CONTACT:

Christi Klingelhefer

Venue Sales Manager

Evergreen Exhibitions

3737 Broadway, Suite 100

San Antonio, Texas 78209

Phone: (210) 582-0015

Christi@evergreenexhibitions.com

www.evergreenexhibitions.com

15-Dec-09 5:45 PM

INVISIBLE INVADERS TAKE OVER AMERICA: Traveling Exhibit Takes Mystery Out of Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 GMT

A traveling science exhibition is taking children on an interactive journey through the hidden world of microbes. “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies” uncovers a mysterious universe of microscopic organisms--from those that sustain life on Earth to those that threaten our health and even our existence.

A 3,000-square-foot set of “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies,” based on the bigger blockbuster show by the same name, began a five-year, 15-city tour of the U.S. on October 23 at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

The interactive, 3,000-square-foot exhibit reveals what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa--”germs” to most people), explores a history of infectious diseases and shows how researchers and individuals fight infection worldwide.

Kid-friendly technology highlights hands-on activities. Interactive displays, computer animation, theatrical sets and special effects bring microbes to life.

The exhibit is sponsored by Pfizer Inc and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“This exhibit separates fact from fiction about microbes,” said C.L. Clemente, senior vice president-corporate affairs for Pfizer Inc. “By understanding how microbes can hurt us and also how they help us, families can make smarter choices about their health and learn about the strides we’re making in research to stay one step ahead.”

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the NIH, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading killer of North Americans. More than 30 newly recognized infectious diseases and syndromes have emerged in the last two decades alone. Another challenge has been the development of drug-resistant strains of many common infections, making them increasingly difficult to treat and requiring ongoing medical research.

“As the statistics demonstrate, infectious diseases continue to be a serious problem throughout the world,” said John R. La Montagne, Ph.D., director, NIAID’s Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. “This exhibit will help people understand how medical research can contribute to the development of new treatments and vaccines. We hope the exhibit will also inspire the next generation of medical researchers.”

Pfizer Inc is a research-based, global health care company. The company’s mission is to discover and develop innovative, value-added products that improve the quality of life of people around the world and help them enjoy longer, healthier and more productive lives. Pfizer is headquartered in Manhattan and maintains its original manufacturing plant in Brooklyn, N.Y.

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as HIV disease and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For information please visit the Microbes Web site at http://www.pfizer.com/rd/microbes.

15-Dec-09 5:00 PM

Interactives - Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Sections

Exhibit content is organized into 10 sections:

1) Paris crypt

2) Egyptian tomb

3) Aztec Ruins

4) Main Street North America

5) Microbe TV

6) Microbial Universe

7) Defenders of the Castle

8) Good Deeds

9) Microbial Superhighway

10) New Frontiers

In the first four sections, the exhibit examines the history of some of mankind’s most devastating diseases.

1) Paris Crypt

Dr. Beak presented in a skull-filled catacomb below Paris describes the bubonic plague which killed about 56 million Europeans from 1340 to 1420. On display is a recreation of a beaked mask thought to protect people from the plague, which they believed was caused by poison gas rising from the Earth.

2) Egyptian Tomb

A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses V shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus that attacked and probably killed Egypt’s ruler, who died around 1151 B.C. The mural also features a photograph of an Egyptian stone tablet which provided the first pictorial record of polio.

3) Aztec Ruins

An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

4) Main Street North America

This section describes epidemics of polio, flu and tuberculosis striking close to home. A three-minute video presentation describes the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and the breakthrough of mass production as a “wonder drug” during World War II.

5) Microbe TV

Microbe Man, the exhibit’s cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, and VJ Sabrina host a 90-second animated video that illustrates just how miniscule microbes really are.

6) Microbial Universe

Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

7) Defenders of the Castle

Exhibit-goers discover how harmful microbes invade human bodies and how humans fight back. Hands-on displays demonstrate how people fight infection both with the body’s natural defenses and with antibiotic defenses to prevent and treat infectious disease. Interactive displays include a fortified castle that illustrates our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes.

8) Good Deeds

This area offers a more light-hearted look at the beneficial and essential roles microbes play. Humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes relate how microbes affect the everyday fare people cook and eat. Players of the Gobble De Goop video game can guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill. The Microbe Quiz Show, an interactive TV program hosted by Microbe Man, invites visitors to a true-false test of their microbial knowledge.

9) Microbial Superhighway

Visitors learn how modern transportation, overcrowding and pollution foster the spread of infectious disease around the world. Hot Zones, featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy, illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases.

10) New Frontiers

A video presentation describes advances in medical research, including gene therapy--delivering therapeutic genes to cells--and the creation of synthetic drugs.

Interactive Displays

Interactive displays located throughout the exhibit offer children of all ages hands-on discovery of scientific concepts.

1) Simulated Electron Microscope (Microbial Universe)

Visitors get a rare view of real viruses such as HIV {4 millionths of an inch (0.0001 mm) across} as they would appear through an electron microscope--a microscope of extremely high power.

2) Large-view Microscope (Microbial Universe)

Exhibit-goers can peer through a large-view microscope that reflects light off an object to magnify the image, observing fungi, protozoa and bacteria as they appear 250 times larger than life.

3) Lines of Defense (Body of Disease)

A foosball-style game demonstrates the body’s natural lines of defense against infectious disease.

4) Microbe Quiz Show (Good Deeds)

Microbe Man, a cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, hosts this interactive television game show. Players can test their microbial knowledge with a series of true-false questions.

5) Gobble De Goop (Good Deeds)

In this video game, visitors use a joystick to guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

6) Defenders of the Castle

In this interactive display, visitors learn about our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes trying to invade our bodies through our nose, mouth and other orifices.

7) Talking Good-Guy Microbes (Good Deeds)

Hand-held phones allow visitors to hear humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes. These microbial “good guys” describe examples of microbes at work in the kitchen making cheese, helping bread rise and making compost.

8) Hot Zone Map (Microbial Superhighway)

An interactive display illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy.

15-Dec-09 5:00 PM

Robot Zoo Interactives (2,500 scaled version)

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Chameleon

1. Keep an Eye on You

The robot model of a chameleon's head shows how the real reptile views the world: through eyes that work independently. As visitors move each of the robot's eyes with a joystick, they can see on two color monitors the separate images the robot's eyes "see."

2. Tongue Gun

Triggering the Tongue Gun demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal. Sharpshooters use a joystick to aim the head of a robot chameleon, then press a button to fire its long tongue at one of several insect targets.

3. Hide and Seek

Visitors can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, visitors can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor as they move back and forth in front of the wall.

Platypus

4. Mister Platypus

Visitors of all ages can build a platypus or their own whimsical creature by adding different animal parts, such as an alligator's tail or an elephant's trunk, to the model of a platypus' body.

5. Robot Body Shop

Drum mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.

Housefly

6. Eye to Eye

Visitors can stand behind a 5-foot-tall cutout of a housefly and get a fly's-eye view through two 19-inch compound eyes. A real housefly can't see fine details unless it's up close, but its eyes (each with about 4,000 six-sided lenses) can detect even the slightest movement in all directions.

7. Swat the Fly

This activity tests participants' reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast as a housefly's). Visitors use their hands to "swat" the backlit image of each fly as it randomly flashes.

8. Sticky Feet

Visitors wearing special hand and kneepads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

15-Dec-09 1:00 PM

Traveling exhibit reveals biomechanics of robot animal

Mike Kempf — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Children across the nation can explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work, thanks to a touring exhibit, “The Robot Zoo.” The exhibit is touring major science and natural-history museums throughout North America and Europe.

The 5,000-square-foot exhibit reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Eight robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling.

The larger-than-life-size animated robots include a chameleon, a rhinoceros, a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles and a platypus. Also featured are a house fly with a 10-foot wingspread, a grasshopper, a bat and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet tall.

Machinery in the robot animals simulates the body parts of their real-life counterparts. In the robot animals, muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes and brains become computers.

Other sensory activities include “Swat the Fly,” a test of the visitor’s reaction time (one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s), and “Sticky Feet,” where visitors wearing special hand and knee pads can try to stick like flies to a sloped surface. Triggering the “Tongue Gun” demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal.

Animation in the robots imitates real-life behaviors. The robot chameleon rocks back and forth as it turns its head, looks around and fires its tongue at its insect prey. The front legs of the platypus swim in breaststroke style while the tail moves up and down. The tentacles of the giant squid grip a struggling fish, while the squid’s beak-like mouth opens to reveal a spinning food grinder.

The exhibit is based on the book “The Robot Zoo” which was conceived, edited and designed by Marshall Editions of London, England.

18-Nov-09 1:00 PM

Robot Zoo Fact Sheet (5,000 sf version)

Mike Kempf — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Title:

"The Robot Zoo"

A traveling children's exhibit that reveals the biomechanics of giant robot animals to illustrate how real animals work.

Size:

5,000 square feet

Itinerary:

The exhibit is currently touring science and natural-history museums and zoos in North America and Europe.

Highlights:

Eight giant robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities reveal the magic of nature as a master engineer.

Robot Body Shop - As an introduction to the exhibit, drum-mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices they will see used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.
Chameleon Activity Stations - Visitors get to control the giant robotic chameleon. At the three different stations, one can change its color, move its body, head, eyes and tongue. Chameleons change color for two reasons, to hide from an enemy or to attract or scare another chameleon.
Tongue Gun - Triggering a joystick on the model of a robot chameleon’s head fires a long tongue at insect targets to show how the reptile catches food.
Hide and Seek - Children can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, kids can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor.
Race a Squid - Visitors can pump air into a squid model and propel it up a tube to simulate the high-speed swim of a giant squid. Visitors will enjoy racing these four squids to the finish line. The real creature sucks water into its body and squirts the water out a small tube under its head, shooting away backwards at up 20 miles per hour.
Hear’s Seeing You - When visitors aim the robot bat’s head at insect targets, a digital display reveals the distance to each bug to demonstrate echolocation—a bat’s sonar system for hunting prey at night.
Swat the Fly - This activity tests participants’ reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast a house fly’s). Visitors use their hands to “swat” each fly as it lights up.
Sticky Feet - Visitors wearing special hand pads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

Robot Animals:

Chameleon (10’ long)

Rhinoceros (9’ long)

Giant squid (6’ long, 18’ tentacles)

Platypus (9’ long)

House fly (6’ long, 10’ wingspread)

Grasshopper (9’ long)

Giraffe (shown head and neck, 9’ tall)

Bat (6’ head to tail)

18-Nov-09 1:00 PM

Interactives - Robot Zoo (5,000 sf version)

Mike Kempf — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

RHINOCEROUS

Robot Body Shop - As an introduction to the exhibit, drum-mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices they will see used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.

CHAMELEON

Chameleon Activity Stations - Visitors get to control the giant robotic chameleon. At the three different stations, one can change its color, move its body, head, eyes and tongue. Chameleons change color for two reasons, to hide from an enemy or to attract or scare another chameleon.

Keep an Eye on You - The robot model of a chameleon’s head shows how the real reptile views the world: through eyes that work independently. As visitors move each of the robot’s eyes with a joystick, they can see on two color monitors the separate images the robot’s eyes “see.”

Tongue Gun - Triggering the Tongue Gun demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal. Sharpshooters use a joystick to aim the head of a robot chameleon, then press a button to fire its long tongue at one of several insect targets.

Hide and Seek - Children can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, kids can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor as they move back and forth in front of the wall.

PLATYPUS

Mister Platypus - Children of all ages can build a platypus or their own whimsical creature by adding different animal parts, such as an alligator’s tail or an elephant’s trunk, to the model of a platypus’ body.

BAT

Hear’s Seeing You! - This activity demonstrates echolocation--a bat’s sonar system for hunting prey at night. When visitors aim a robot bat’s head at insect targets, a digital display reveals the distance to each bug.

Hang Time - With a timer children try to see how long they can hang like a bat by their hands from an overhead bar.

GIANT SQUID

Jet Propelled - All ages can pump air into a squid model and propel it up a tube to simulate the high-speed swim of a giant squid. The real creature sucks water into its body and squirts the water out a small tube under its head, shooting away backwards at up to 20 miles per hour.

Stuck on You - To understand what a giant squid does with its suckers, kids can throw rubber sucker balls at a board and play with other objects that stick, such as bathroom plungers and gloves covered with sucker pads.

HOUSE FLY

Eye to Eye - Visitors can stand behind a 5-foot-tall cutout of a house fly and get a fly’s-eye view through two 19-inch compound eyes. A real house fly can’t see fine details unless it’s up close, but its eyes (each with about 4,000 six-sided lenses) can detect even the slightest movement in all directions.

Swat the Fly - This activity tests participants’ reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s). Children use their hands to “swat” the backlit image of each fly as it randomly flashes.

Sticky Feet - Kids wearing special hand pads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

GRASSHOPPER

TORTOISE (no robot counterpart)

Tortoise Track - Even the youngest children can try on a tortoise shell and see how it feels to “race” like a turtle around a track. Wearing numbered shells, other kids can join in a race to the finish line.

16-Nov-09 1:00 PM

MICROBES: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Sections

Exhibit content is organized into 10 sections:
1)    Paris crypt
2)    Egyptian tomb
3)    Aztec Ruins
4)    Main Street North America
5)    Microbe TV
6)    Microbial Universe
7)    Defenders of the Castle
8)    Good Deeds
9)    Microbial Superhighway
10) New Frontiers

In the first four sections, the exhibit examines the history of some of mankind’s most devastating diseases.

1) Paris Crypt
Dr. Beak presented in a skull-filled catacomb below Paris describes the bubonic plague which killed about 56 million Europeans from 1340 to 1420. On display is a recreation of a beaked mask thought to protect people from the plague, which they believed was caused by poison gas rising from the Earth.

2) Egyptian Tomb
A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses V shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus that attacked and probably killed Egypt’s ruler, who died around 1151 B.C. The mural also features a photograph of an Egyptian stone tablet which provided the first pictorial record of polio.

3) Aztec Ruins
An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

4) Main Street North America
This section describes epidemics of polio, flu and tuberculosis striking close to home. A three-minute video presentation describes the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and the breakthrough of mass production as a “wonder drug” during World War II.

5) Microbe TV
Microbe Man, the exhibit’s cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, and VJ Sabrina host a 90-second animated video that illustrates just how miniscule microbes really are.

6) Microbial Universe
Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

7) Defenders of the Castle
Exhibit-goers discover how harmful microbes invade human bodies and how humans fight back. Hands-on displays demonstrate how people fight infection both with the body’s natural defenses and with antibiotic defenses to prevent and treat infectious disease. Interactive displays include a fortified castle that illustrates our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes.

8) Good Deeds
This area offers a more light-hearted look at the beneficial and essential roles microbes play. Humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes relate how microbes affect the everyday fare people cook and eat. Players of the Gobble De Goop video game can guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill. The Microbe Quiz Show, an interactive TV program hosted by Microbe Man, invites visitors to a true-false test of their microbial knowledge.

9) Microbial Superhighway
Visitors learn how modern transportation, overcrowding and pollution foster the spread of infectious disease around the world. Hot Zones, featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy, illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases.

10) New Frontiers
A video presentation describes advances in medical research, including gene therapy--delivering therapeutic genes to cells--and the creation of synthetic drugs.

Interactive Displays

Interactive displays located throughout the exhibit offer children of all ages hands-on discovery of scientific concepts.

1) Simulated Electron Microscope (Microbial Universe)
Visitors get a rare view of real viruses such as HIV {4 millionths of an inch (0.0001 mm) across} as they would appear through an electron microscope--a microscope of extremely high power.

2) Large-view Microscope (Microbial Universe)
Exhibit-goers can peer through a large-view microscope that reflects light off an object to magnify the image, observing fungi, protozoa and bacteria as they appear 250 times larger than life.

3) Lines of Defense (Body of Disease)
A foosball-style game demonstrates the body’s natural lines of defense against infectious disease.

4) Microbe Quiz Show (Good Deeds)
Microbe Man, a cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, hosts this interactive television game show. Players can test their microbial knowledge with a series of true-false questions.

5) Gobble De Goop (Good Deeds)
In this video game, visitors use a joystick to guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

6) Defenders of the Castle
In this interactive display, visitors learn about our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes trying to invade our bodies through our nose, mouth and other orifices.

7) Talking Good-Guy Microbes (Good Deeds)
Hand-held phones allow visitors to hear humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes. These microbial “good guys” describe examples of microbes at work in the kitchen making cheese, helping bread rise and making compost.

8) Hot Zone Map (Microbial Superhighway)
An interactive display illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy.

2-Sep-09 3:00 PM

Microbes: Invisible Invaders... Amazing Allies - FACT SHEET

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

WHAT: “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies”
An interactive, high-tech, children’s exhibit traveling to 15 North American cities

NATIONAL SPONSORS: Pfizer Inc, produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health.

PURPOSE: To take the mystery out of “killer” microbes. The exhibit explores what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa--”germs” to most people), what they look like, the history of infectious disease, emerging diseases and how researchers and individuals fight infectious disease worldwide.

SECTIONS: 1) Paris crypt, 2) Egyptian tomb, 3) Aztec ruins, 4) Early 1900s Main Street North America, 5) Microbe TV, 6) Microbial Universe, 7) Body of Disease, 8) Good Deeds, 9) Microbial Superhighway, 10) New Frontiers

EXHIBIT SIZE: 3,000 square feet

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Healer in Crypt - In the replica of a skull- and bone-filled Paris catacomb,
a guide describes the bubonic plague in the year 1400 A.D. His beaked mask contains flowers and herbs thought to protect people from the deadly disease they believed was caused by poison air rising up from the earth.

Ramses Mummy - A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus, which attacked Ramses and probably killed him in 1151 B.C.

Aztec Ruins - An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

Microbial Universe - Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

Meet a Bug - Colorful, volumetric projections present six microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and rubella, as three-dimensional sculptures.

Microbe Quiz Show - This interactive television game show tests participants’ new-found knowledge with a true-false quiz.

Gobble De Goop - Players of this video game guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

2-Sep-09 3:00 PM

MICROBES: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

A traveling exhibition is taking children on an interactive journey through the hidden world of microbes. "Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies" uncovers a mysterious universe of microscopic organisms--from those that sustain life on Earth to those that threaten our health and even our existence.

The interactive, exhibit reveals what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa--"germs" to most people), explores a history of infectious diseases and shows how researchers and individuals fight infection worldwide.

Kid-friendly technology highlights hands-on activities. In addition to interactive displays featuring virtual reality and 3-D animation, theatrical sets and special effects bring microbes to life.

The exhibit is sponsored by Pfizer Inc and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"This exhibit separates fact from fiction about microbes," said C.L. Clemente, Pfizer Inc senior vice president-corporate affairs. "By understanding how microbes can hurt us and also how they help us, families can make smarter choices about their health and learn about the strides we're making in research to stay one step ahead."

The smallest forms of life on Earth are microbes. Although microbes have existed for millions of years, possibly billions, their presence was not detected until the 17th Century. In 1683, Dutch merchant Antony van Leeuwenhoek, who made microscopes as a hobby, detected "wee animalcules" in scrapings from his teeth. More than 200 years would pass before scientists would establish the relationship between microbes and disease.

In 1928, when bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered the germ-killing properties of the mold penicillium, he knew it could have profound medical value. But he couldn't make enough of the antibiotic he dubbed "penicillin" to test on even one human, so the discovery languished. During World War II researchers at a company named Pfizer perfected the technology to mass-produce penicillin.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the NIH, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading killer of North Americans. More than 30 newly recognized infectious diseases and syndromes have emerged in the last two decades alone. Another challenge has been the development of drug-resistant strains of many common infections, making them increasingly difficult to treat and requiring ongoing medical research.

"As the statistics demonstrate, infectious diseases continue to be a serious problem throughout the world," said John R. La Montagne, Ph.D., director of NIAID's Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. "This exhibit will help people understand how medical research can contribute to the development of new treatments and vaccines. We hope the exhibit will also inspire the next generation of medical researchers."

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines, for humans and animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer products.

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as HIV disease and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2-Sep-09 2:00 PM