America101

America101

Smithsonian exhibit brings 300 American treasures to L.A.
Convention Center

By Rodney Tanaka

Daily Bruin Staff

For Dorothy, there’s no place like home.

Her ruby slippers are another story.

The famous footwear from the "Wizard of Oz," along with 300
assorted artifacts from the Smithsonian collection in Washington
D.C., hit the yellow brick road for a two-year nationwide tour. The
first brick of the 12-city path rests at the Los Angeles Convention
Center.

"The Smithsonian has brought us our nation’s greatest treasures,
giving us a chance to interact with history," says Los Angeles
Mayor Richard Riordan. "I’m proud to say that Los Angeles will be
the first in the nation to view America’s Smithsonian."

"America’s Smithsonian" celebrates the 150th anniversary of the
Smithsonian Institution and is the largest traveling exhibition
ever produced. Several of the artifacts have connections to
California’s history.

"One of the Smithsonian’s most beloved objects, the ruby
slippers are an enduring favorite," says Smithsonian secretary, I.
Michael Heyman. "It’s (a) story (that) carries a message that
speaks to Americans everywhere about heart, about intellect, about
courage."

A jacket represents the courage of activist César
Chávez, a champion of civil rights and farm laborers’
rights.

"César Chávez’s jacket really represents the best that
California has to offer the nation: strength of character, the
power of diversity and the ability to work for positive change,"
Heyman says.

These objects are found in the Remembering Gallery, one of three
sections at the exhibition. The gallery also includes creations
ranging from Edison’s light bulb, to the telephone, to the most
famous frog in the world.

The Imagining Gallery features the best the human mind can
offer, including a Picasso painting, ancient Chinese jade and
African art. Natural wonders and mankind’s aesthetics combine in
the instance of several breathtaking pieces of jewelry. A 182-carat
blue star sapphire, known as the Star of Bombay, and the Hooker
starburst diamonds make any Valentine’s Day trinket pale in
comparison.

The Discovery Gallery explores the majesty of nature and the
triumph of human curiosity. The gallery opens with the gaping maw
of a prehistoric shark, who would have stretched 40 feet long,
twice as long as its modern counterpart. Insects, gems and dinosaur
bones describe terrestrial objects, while the Wright brothers’
airplane and engine, and the Apollo 14 command module show visitors
how to reach for the sky.

Greeting visitors at the entrance is a video presentation
featuring a rendition of "America the Beautiful" performed by Ray
Charles.

"We felt this was the right song and the right presentation to
introduce this exhibition," Heyman says. "The song has become so
much the heart of America."

The merging of the song with the talent of Charles is a perfect
fit.

"Not only is Mr. Charles an accomplished singer but he brings
heart and soul to our country," says Los Angeles Convention and
Visitors Bureau President George Kirkland. "We’re glad to have him
with us."

The musician says he is delighted to be part of the 150th
anniversary celebration of the Smithsonian.

"I hope I can make it that long," Charles says.

Beyond the main exhibit hall lies the reason why the Smithsonian
can take its artifacts on the road without government funding:
corporate sponsorship. The Intel and MCI exhibits walk visitors
through the past and into the future of technology and
communication. Brave souls can walk into a 14-foot tall Intel PC,
where a microprocessor (looking amazingly like a guy pretending to
be a microprocessor) explains the history of the computer. The
exhibits feature access to the World Wide Web and the Internet,
where you can (surprise) tap into even more information about the
Smithsonian. The MCI "cyber-playground" also features video
teleconferencing and the ability to order your favorite compact
disc by phone or computer keypad.

Visitors who enjoy traditional, low-tech entertainment can ride
the carousel located at the center of the three main galleries.
After a full day of touring the exhibition, playing in cyberspace
and spinning around on a wooden horse, most people will be ready to
click their heels together three times and say the magic words.

EXHIBIT: "America’s Smithsonian," at the Los Angeles Convention
Center. Admission is free, tickets are required. Same-day tickets
are available at the Convention Center. Advance tickets for a $3.50
service fee for each ticket. For more info call (800) 913-TOUR.

PATRICK LAM

Jaw of a prehistoric shark.

"Corn, a Miniconjou Warrior" by George Catlin, showing in the
Smithsonian exhibit.

The Smithsonian’s Lunar Landing exhibit exemplifies some of
America’s achievements in science. Comments to
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