AS: Response Questions

1. The significance of the Tradescant collection was that it let patrons of all different genders, social ranks, and socio-economic statuses be allowed to view it.  It gave way to a system similar to the ways in which we attend museums today with a paid fee.  It was thought of as an "ark" to its owner because it held gems that would be precious to people of the future.  Zoos parallel this as also being referred to as "arks" which is evident by the efforts some zoos make for conservation.  This is also seen, by zoos holding various animals for the public to see that would not normally be seen in the patrons' surroundings.

2. The purpose of the Wunderkammer as described in the readings was clearly to educate others on the existence of natural novelties to be viewed and speculated.  I would not say that it was simply a "circus show" of collections.  Clearly, some of the knickknacks collected were not completely useful for educational purposes, but what is important to understand when exploring these little phenomena is that they were able to expose people to elements of the world beyond themselves.  The Wunderkammer provided methods of classification and organization of the things in which they carried, surely with references to Linnaeus's system.  They sparked a public interest to escape one's own self and to be immersed in oddities that help to understand the significance and insignificance of man.

3. I would say that Dion's cabinets are similar to the Tradescant one because they are both Wunderkammer.  Dion's cabinets are clearly more educational, but they are also trying to look like what a Wunderkammer would appear to be.  They are somewhat contrived, however achieve their intended purpose well.  The Tradescant cabinet seemed to exist for a lot of "shock value" for its viewers.  I am sure it was still educational, but it seems like it was more flashy and induced a sense something a bit more striking, set out for public display.

4. The essay, Why Museums clearly shows how museums are not only centers for information and objects to be viewed, but also institutions that conduct research around these objects.  They differ from the Wunderkammer, because there seems to be a greater intended purpose to improve modern life, instead of just examining objects from far away places with less of a story.  One of the examples regarding practical science that caught my attention in the reading was how a mosquito from 1914 helped research on the West Nile virus.  This is very interesting to me, because this is something that directly effects myself.