One-Tank Trip for
Feb. 22/14
(c) By Jim Fox
Ahoy mateys – be on
the lookout for pirates and treasure recovered from the depths of the oceans.
And, check out some
250 treasures that were part of imperial life from China’s Forbidden City.
They are featured in
two special exhibitions being shown for the first time in Canada at the Waterloo
Region Museum in Kitchener and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto.
 |
| Visitors can learn
about shipwrecks and the recovery of their valuable cargoes at the Waterloo
Region Museum. |
Shiver me timbers
“Shipwreck! Pirates
and Treasure” is an exhibit containing hundreds of shipwreck artifacts
collected from beneath the surface of the oceans.
The exhibit, created
by Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration, is on daily through April 30
at the Waterloo Region Museum.
It includes an interactive
gallery and activities to “immerse visitors with the lore, legends and facts of
pirates” from the Caribbean, Barbary corsairs from North Africa, privateers and
buccaneers.
Visitors can find
out what it’s like to be a shipwreck explorer, captain of a sinking ship or a
pirate on the run along with hands-on activities such as a robotic arm to pick
up treasure and a hurricane simulator to challenge storms.
 |
| Hundreds of
shipwreck artifacts are on display at an exhibition at the Waterloo Region
Museum. |
There are some “500
priceless artifacts” recovered from famous shipwrecks including gold and silver
treasures from thousands of leagues under the seas.
Interactive games
and challenges “allow visitors to experience the thrill of shipwreck
exploration while investigating some of the world’s greatest maritime stories,”
said James Jensen, curator of exhibits.
Tracing some 2,000
years of seafaring history, the exhibit showcases Odyssey Marine Exploration’s archeological
work.
It presents the “stories
of shipwrecks, passengers and artifacts once lost to the deep and now recovered
and shared with the public,” said Mark Gordon, president and chief operating
officer.
There’s a full-size
replica of ZEUS, Odyssey's remotely operated vehicle that acts as the
archaeologist’s hands and eyes in the deep ocean.
 |
| Treasures recovered
from shipwrecks, including Second World War silver from the SS Gairsoppa, are
on exhibit at the Waterloo Region Museum. |
Odyssey’s discoveries
include the SS Republic, HMS Victory, lost in 1744 in the Channel Island, and
SS Gairsoppa, sunk in 1941 by a German U-boat’s torpedo.
Deep in the
Atlantic Ocean, Odyssey discovered the Republic, called the greatest shipwreck
of the 1860’s American Civil War era, recovering 51,000 rare coins and 14,000
artifacts.
On display are gold
bars, silver bullion and coins from the ships.
Explore pirate
lore, legend and facts, including the infamous Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, and
see a 1700’s pirate cannon. 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener;
waterlooregionmuseum.com; (519)
748-1914
Forbidden treasures
The Royal Ontario
Museum is opening the gates of China’s Forbidden City on March 8.
Called “The Forbidden
City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors,” it runs until Sept. 1 and launches
the ROM’s year-long centennial celebrations.
 |
| A portrait of
Emperor Yongzheng in his study will be shown at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Forbidden
City exhibition. (The Palace Museum photo) |
“Canadians will see
250 treasures that were part of imperial life with these incredibly rare
artifacts being seen outside China for first time,” said publicist Marilynne
Friedman.
Many of the objects,
including textiles, calligraphy, paintings and armour, have never before
travelled outside China.
“The ROM’s
exhibition takes visitors on a remarkable journey to the heart of the Forbidden
City – once off limits to all but a privileged few,” said Janet Carding, ROM director
and chief executive officer.
Presented in
collaboration with Beijing’s Palace Museum, the items are complemented by artifacts
from the ROM’s collections that “tell captivating stories and reveal the
fascinating characters” that made the Forbidden City the centre of an immense
empire for more than 500 years.
 |
| This imperial throne
set is part of the ROM’s China’s Forbidden City exhibition. (The Palace Museum)
|
There will be an
extensive rotation of objects half way through the exhibition’s engagement due
to a significant number of light-sensitive textiles and paintings.
In the exhibition’s
“climatic section,” there’s a look inside the emperor’s personal spaces that
were once forbidden to all but the ruler.
It showcases exquisite
objects including jades, calligraphies and ceramics and an exceedingly rare
porcelain “chicken” cup, commissioned by Emperor Chenghua for his mother. 100
Queens Park, Toronto;
rom.on.ca; (416)
586-8000
The great outdoors
The Outdoor Adventure Show, presented by
Ontario Tourism, continues through Sunday at the International Centre (6900
Airport Rd.) in Mississauga.
It’s a “must-attend” event for the passionate
outdoor adventurer, said publicist Helen Lovekin.
There are more than 300 exhibitors with
everything for the outdoors from camping and paddling excursions to zip lining,
climbing rock walls and scuba diving.
Pros demonstrate canoe, kayak and stand-up
paddleboard along with “awe-inspiring” travel presentations and children’s
activities. OutdoorAdventureShow.ca
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