Derrick Clarit/Observer
Cultures should be appreciated for what they create and Central has been able to do just that in “Binding Culture,” the new Philippines exhibit for Central’s Museum of Culture and Environment.

Dr. Ellen Schattschneider of Brandeis University took on the “irrational project” of accepting a round-the-world ticket specifically to explore places that specialize in weaving.

From the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s, Schattschneider procured more than ‘90 objects relevant to Filipino culture, much of which was from the Cordillera Central, the mountainous north-central region of the Philippines.

It was there that she also helped the women of the communities create income-generating projects through weaving.

When describing her experience, Schattschneider said people were very tolerant of her ignorance of Filipino culture.

She collected objects of Filipino origin with the intent of preserving them and their culture, but she forgot that part of the significance of preservation is to share the protected objects with others.

The exhibit contains most of Schattschneider’s personal collection, including different kinds of baskets, clothing and colorful blankets.

Museums typically have signs telling people not to touch the exhibit, and with good reason, since every touch slowly breaks objects down.

However, “Binding Culture” has one object on display that encourages visitors to touch it; a basket known as a “rice winnowing tray.”

Visitors are invited to feel the basket and look for the seams and ridges that hold it together. The seams and bindings are celebrated in Filipino culture, rather than hidden away.

According to the co-curator of the exhibit, Lynn Bethke, the exhibit was put together by the museum staff and museum studies students.

Bethke, the Central museum collections manager, explained that the museum provides hands on experience for museum studies majors that will help them obtain jobs in their field.

However, the process of assembling an exhibit is not a simple task.

“People are surprised by how much work it takes to put an exhibit together. It takes thousands of work hours,” Bethke said.

The experience included learning how to handle and install delicate objects, install cases and create special signs for the displays. The signs were handmade by students rather than vendors, and the research and education needed for making the signs benefited the students as well as the museum.

The museum director, Dr. Mark Auslander, said he chose to feature the Filipino culture at Central’s museum because the objects “communicate that they are important to Central and that Central is very interested in the indigenous communities of the global south.”

Auslander explained that the Philippines were under martial law at the time Dr. Schattschneider was exploring the region.

“We talk a lot about suffering in the world, but it’s important to remember that even communities that face terrible, traumatic violence, economic privation and so forth are not simply hapless victims,” Auslander said. “They are also capable of great artistic and cultural creativity.”

“Binding Culture” is currently open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until June 13.