whale bone porn

[Bright]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/whale-bone-porn-ann-pimentel_n_2950987.html?ref=topbar

[Gunpowder Gertie]

I am ashamed to live in this city..my God..

the exhibit is at a level higher than a toddler's head, there is a sign posted that some of the material is not for kids. I hope they will not censor this exhibit for the sake of one person who sees evil where none exists.

This is a courageous exhibit in some ways, and it is something that the Vancouver Maritime Museum should be proud of. Yes it pushes the boundaries, but that is what makes it daring.

[Coastie04]

Wait, some lady goes to an exhibit about sailor's art (scrimshaw and tattoos) and doesn't expect a bit of nudity and sexual references? And this lady's a teacher?!? And from the pictures that I was able to find online, much of the nudity was of Tahitian women in traditional dress (meaning bare breasted). There were only two bits of scrimshaw that I was able to find showing sexual acts, and one of them didn't have any "private parts" showing at all! The one of a sea captain with women on his mind was very artistically etched, with the nose and upper head of the captain being a naked woman. Does this woman also object to the statue of David, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, or pretty much any depiction of the goddess Venus? I'm glad that her complaining has actually increased the museum's revenue, though.

Coastie

[Gunpowder Gertie]

Apparently they have many and MUCH more explicit pieces..and those are the ones kept covered up in the storage room in the basement. Which is too bad- because we don't get to see some real history from real people, explicit or not. People keep donating such items, scrimshaw, to the museum. But how sad that it disappears into the museum collections, and is hidden, it dies. We can only see that which doesn't upset those that are decided arbitrarily. How sad.

[Jas. Hook]

GG - I wonder if she breast feeds these two younkers????????

[Cascabel]

There are those that spend their lives looking for things to get offended by. I don't think the rest of us should be deprived because of them. May their ulcers flourish and prosper !!!!!

[Coastie04]

There are those that spend their lives looking for things to get offended by. I don't think the rest of us should be deprived because of them. May their ulcers flourish and prosper !!!!!

Amen!

I do wonder if we could get photos of the 'hidden' pieces for historical research purposes by contacting the museum? Also, why have I not been aware of the underground market for scrimshaw pornography? It seems like something that should have appeared on this forum at some point in time!

Coastie

[Daniel]

It makes me wonder, though. At the time that this scrimshaw was carved, Ms. Pimentel's kind of attitude was pretty prevalent everywhere. Almost all these sailors would have been taught at least by their preachers, and fairly often by their parents, that they could go to Hell for making this kind of stuff, or even for looking at it. I wonder how many of the sailors enjoyed this scrimshaw with the same easy, laid back attitude we have.

[Gunpowder Gertie]

But the sailors getting tattooes didn't care about people like her's attitude, and likely reveled in the "rough" reputation it gave them. Certainly the scrimshaw would have been personal possessions not for public consumption..for the sailor and the entertainment of his mates. It's like our fathers hiding their Playboy magazines. Sure the preacher and your mother may have told them they are going to hell, but doesn't mean they don't mind looking at the forbidden fruit, aye?

[Mission]

Eh. This woman's entitled to voice her opinion just as much as you folks are entitled to voice yours.

Besides, she's probably generating far more free publicity for the exhibit than the museum could have done on their own.

As for tattoos, that's a whole different discussion. What (very) few tats we can find evidence for during the golden age of the pirates seem to have mostly been colors and very simple single-color symbols like crosses - not distinct, detailed images. They were almost certainly not ones designed to give intentional offense. (See the many, many discussion on this in the Crow's Nest and particularly in Captain Twill for more info.)

I don't know when racy native women first appeared on sailors arms, but I'll bet it wasn't the mid-19th century when, as Daniel notes, there was a puritanical (or, perhaps more properly described, Victorian) streak prevalent in much of society. Sailors traveled and saw more, but as Foxe noted a long time ago, they were still members of society and much of their behavior was informed by their environment just as yours is.

[Gunpowder Gertie]

Here is a link to an article on the exhibit, and a gallery to witness the spurious examples of whalebone porn...

Most of this exhibit is post GAoP , documenting the whaling trade, and of course tattooing.

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Photos+salty+side+sailor/8128312/story.html

please make sure your toddlers are tied up and blindfolded in another room before accessing this article.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Gunpowder Gertie

[landlubbersanonymous]

I'm not an adherent of beastiality and this whaling boning.thing seems pretty outragous.

Still... I guess it sort of validates where mermaids/mermen come from right?

[Jas. Hook]

"Bo'sun... notify the watch that the nameless landlubber has fallen in the scupper again"

[Black Syren]

I find it interesting, they are very creative and beautiful works of art. It is sad though that most of the pieces will be hidden away from the world because people can be so close minded. I am glad the museum put these on display and I wish it would travel for it would be nice to see the artwork in person.

[jendobyns]

Some people have issues. I'm glad she made such a stink, though, because that did mean I got to see those wonderful carvings! It's definitely expanding the museum's PR. And I am sure the kids noticed her behavior more than the beautiful art work's adult themes! They're just going to be busy cataloging who has what, and why is there a naked girl sitting on that man's head Mom just doesn't want to deal with the questions!

Landlubber, you're a hoot!

[Black Syren]

Well lets hope she never visits Pompeii for they have extreme artwork there to show their redlight district. And though they are faded with time they are still visible enough to know what they are doing.

[Jas. Hook]

Black Syren -

The Volcano Shake???? ;-)

[landlubbersanonymous]

Education is the key to understanding. Perhaps if we all chipped in, we could let Delos handle the rest?

"Then we have Roman World. A lusty treat for the senses in the setting of delightful, decadent Pompeii. Here the traveler experiences the sensual, relaxed morality that existed at the peak of the Imperial Roman Empire." Westworld (1973)