Fwd:

26.8.20, Kulturmuseum Basel: in an exhibition on collection provenance and priorities, the Kulturmuseum Basel with two complicated strategies for discussing objects of ritual significance: first an empty spot marking an Arrente ritual item they no longer display (the sign notes that the traditional owners are aware of this object & in contact with the museum - I don’t know why it hasn’t been repatriated yet); secondly, rather than excavating anonymous skulls in Hallstatt, the local authorities will only allow excavation of skulls by direct descendants - instead the museum provided its own skulls, which were then painted in Hallstatt. But whose skulls? It’s really striking that while talking about ethically gaining work from Hallstatt they just gloss over the q of where they got skulls of unknown origin in the first place!

Fwd:

14.10.21: So today I learned that my haircut is actually pretty fancy! In spring this year I switched from booking with the salon owner to one of her colleagues, who did the amazing colour work I’ve had for the past six months or so. But she left! Fabienne, the owner, is booked out months in advance, so I got a slot with Mathilde the 3rd-yr apprentice. End result is pretty great. Amusement was that along the way I goy to discover all the hair related French I don’t have (or had forgotten: brain keeps substituting kurz for court, etc), and just how many decisions go into this cut. I make, like… four (undercut, shape/length of each side, length at back). Hairdresser has to make a lot more decisions than that, it turns out… . Early next year I want to go back to significantly shorter & close to my natural colour (easier for travel) but until then it can be experiment time! Maybe I should finally get the Sydney Side-Shave.