Checking In

[Bill]

Hi Rick, Reading briefly, I see that 35 pieces are being sought. Is there a breakdown for Luzon, Visayas, and the South; as well as what type of each sword? Thanks

[Antonio Cejunior]

Originally Posted by Bill

Hi Rick, Reading briefly, I see that 35 pieces are being sought. Is there a breakdown for Luzon, Visayas, and the South; as well as what type of each sword? Thanks

Hi Bill,

Allow me to provide you with an answer as close as possible.
1. Yes, it is about 35 pieces but we can see more and then make a virtual selection.
2. My suggestion is that contribution should be as follows:
a. Sword Type
b. Area of provenance
c. Estimated date of making.

In other words, it is a unique occasion to show, (say) a broad spectrum of a Kris or a Bolo from the North to the South or vice-versa.

Bearing this in mind, and thinking about it in practical terms, we can only have this known if collectors come forward and email me their pieces with descriptions after they see what exists and what is missing and can be filled
Thank you.

Antonio
Exhibition Coordinator
Macao Museum of Art

[Andrew]

Hi guys. Just checking in.

As you all know, I'm only a spectator regarding PI weapons, so I'm available for administrative assistance, if needed.

[Battara]

I was one of the original contributors before things fell apart. I guess we are starting from scratch all over again.

[Antonio Cejunior]

Hi Battara,

Good to see you. We're sort of starting from scratch. I have the old page untouched. Only changed the url. Sometimes it is better to prune the past and just check in again
I can assure we all, EEWS and the Museum, looks forward for everyone's contribution.
Will go back to sleep. It is 2:55 AM.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Battara

I was one of the original contributors before things fell apart. I guess we are starting from scratch all over again.

Work is never entirely lost, Jose. Even if it seems to be thrown out, the experience makes the next round of planning easier.

I encourage you all to start raining on Antonio and me pictures of stuff that you would like to show to the world to teach them about this thing that you love. Or at the least start raining more questions. If there is any uncertainty out there, either in what is needed or how it will be done, bring it up (here, by PM, or by e-mail), as I am sure you are not alone. The sooner you all start piling the clay on the wheel, the sooner the pot will be finished.

Starting discussion on your individual ideas about content and structure in a more general sense even before the candidate pieces start accumulating will be invaluable. Throw out list of what you think needs to be represented or taught (Moro, Bontoc ... Luzan, Mindanao ... working, fighting,ceremonial ... kris, kampilan, mandau, head axes ... use, manufacture, materials, import, export ... whatever), or how the material might be broken down and organized. You are the ones with the knowledge and expertise, so don't be shy. If this is going to work you all need to jump right in (and on the other hand, also need to be open and tolerant of each other's views, suggestions and opinions).

Remember that this forum, and what you do and say amongst yourselves, is 100% confidential and known only to you the contributors, and to Antonio, Lee Jones, Andrew, Ian and myself (even the existance of the forum, and the fact of your respective involvements at this point). Nothing leaves the family, so please speak freely even if it is something off of the top of your head or a crazy idea. Heck, I suggested to Antonio about three days ago that the Section be expanded to cover Malaysia and Indonesia. Needless to say, the idea flew in much the same way that bricks don't (to paraphrase Douglass Adams).


Rock and Roll! Release the hounds! Once more into the breach! One, two! one, two! And through and through, the vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

[Antonio Cejunior]

Gentlemen,

Mark Bowditch came to Macau and I believe you all have read his most benevolent review of his visit. The fact is that on this part of the preparation, I have not been able to upload all swords and descriptions as yet.

Why? you may ask. Well, first because I did not imagine your great generosity and civic attitude.

Then it is a matter of a day having 24 hours and I barely sleep 4 hours a night.

Please rest assured that no one is more committed to bring the entire fleet to its destination. Yup, I spoke of a fleet. I am presently, on the Macau side, coordinating every single part of the different sections alone and with very hard negotiations going on.

Because things may change for the better, I am asking you to be aware that although exhausted, I am fully aware of the timings and so forth.
I will talk to Mark today, the 12th of December and Mark will hopefully post something for everyone to read.
I would just like to ask you to wait for Mark to place the result of my talk with him today.

Thanks you for your understanding and rest assured that it is now inside logistics and time.
Antonio

[Mark]

bump

[Antonio Cejunior]

Hi All,

Whether you are a new contributor or a a present one, this is what was put up from the recent past after this has been pruned. I am almost sure I did not make any mistake.
Clich hereto view. Now we must obtain these contributors confirmation as well other contributions they might have. As they confirm, I will pass the pictures and information to the present page .
Both have back ups with insurance.
Let us not use the cloths shown and just concentrate on the weapons and photographs now.
This exhibition will go down in History in a book's form and will be a source of consultation for years to come. We all need to have this historical vision gentleman. Like I always say: cooperation is much better than confrontation

Than you all.
Antonio

[Federico]

Hello Antonio

First off I must apologize in advanced if the tone of my writing is terse in the next few weeks. Unfortunately the timing of the events that happened occured during a highly busy time for me, and my time that I can dedicate to posting is very limited, and can only be done quickly. So if I sound terse, it is due to the time constraints I am currently in, and in no way reflects an un-cooperative spirit.

Everything I offered for exhibit earlier is still on the table. Though given the recent uncertainty of contributors I can add more pieces as needed (eg. some of the pieces I alluded to in my other post such as a head axeas well as older period textiles of the warrior class to replace the newer contemporary textiles I had previously offered). I am willing to send every piece in my collection (barring ivory pieces) if the need is there.

I still feel we need strong coordination in deciding who is contributing what pieces, so that we can draw out central themes that are more representative of the Sandata. Without some coordination we run the danger of artificially over-representing certain areas of the Sandata while de-emphasizing others due to our own tastes in collection. I feel it is greatly important to get at least a rough idea of who at this point will be contributing, and at least a guess as to what can be contributed (hence the other thread). So if other contributors read this post, please chime in on the other thread. The faster we can figure out who is a contributor and what they can contribute, the faster every other aspect of this exhibit can be accomplished.

Federico

[Antonio Cejunior]

Hi Federico

Wonderful hearing from you

No worries about sounding terse or tense or whatever. I know you are very busy. We are all enriched by your cooperation.

I'm used to take quick decisions when I was the boss at the Macau Cultural and Recreational services, but I now can only make suggestions.

My suggestion is that:
1. You allow me to move your pieces to the new site and please add in some more by emailing Mark and myself. Remember, images must be numbered as FM7.jpg - FM8.jpg as examples and then description with corresponding numbers. You may PM or email me to allow me to transfer the images to the new page.

You may ask why do I have to throw in more pieces?
My answer is:

a. Provides a wider panorama of what you have available and allows all of us to see.

b. Logistically it is much better to have one collector contributing with various pieces than too many collectors contributing with one or two pieces.
It means less shipments, therefore less logistics.

Coordination-Selection
I suggest that Battara for the Collectors, Mark, Ian & Rick for EEWS (they may choose between them who and how many to elect) and myself for the Museum, will form a Selection Group (let's not call it a Committee )
Disclaimer: my ignorance may have ommitted someone but I am still ignorant of all the specialists.

Battara and EEWS will provide the specimens advice, I will provide input on the view of the display that is in my mind. Please be advised that the entire exhibition has to have one style, and I'm here on the field, know the problems and the space availability and so forth.





Here are two examples of different layouts for the same gallery, therefore my role will be very much the constructive Devil's Advocate.

So when every good willed collector throws in his contributions (please do not self exclude anything just because it is a duplicate) we can go into the process of selection. Since this is not a Miss Universe, this is not about loosers and winners but about a really historical event of a group of collectors showing its vitalitity and sense of long term vision

Thank you all
Antonio