“Autriche” from the Longue Collection

Christian Dior

Autumn/Winter 1951-1952

Royal Ontario Museum (Object number: 2015.90.1.1)

Daniel Libeskind

The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum, 2007

Photo: Source

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa

With this set of insect images, all pictures from the ROM for the year 2023 are proudly displayed on this blog for you to enjoy. I've already gone at length discussing these feisty beans and their habits, behaviors and routines. While many onlookers may not see these armored insects as appealing, I take great knowing the role that they have within their own ecosystems and the opportunities they provide for eager minds to learn, whether as pets or in exhibits. It could be worse if you're not a Roach fan: as this specie lacks wings, it can't suddenly startle you by becoming airborne and (unintentionally) buzzing towards you. They can run rather quickly, however! Having visited this exhibit many times before, it would be a benefit to have additional information displayed regarding these curious insects.

Though simple, there's so much to learn about them, and many myths that can be dispelled so as to not treat all Roaches as "dirty insects" (admittedly these species does consume debris and rotting material as they are decomposers by nature). An interactive series of hissing samples would provide a lot of insight into how they interact and communicate with each other and the other creatures they encounter. Perhaps hearing it live is more authentic, but in a carefully curated environment such as this one, agitating the exhibit denizens for spectacle wouldn't be the best idea. Besides, a sudden hiss from such a small creature is quite startling the first time, especially if you're not expected it. It's up to the Cockroach to determine how aggressively it will press air from its spiracles.

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Please go and visit the bugs.

Streets of Toronto

i forget what dinosaur this is but i like the picture :3

The beautifully drawn, stunningly gilded Book of the Dead of Amenemhat.

[An Egyptian papyrus, brown, with figures painted in black, red, and yellow. Anubis and Horus work the scales while the Devourer sits on a black and yellow plinth. Thoth stands before Osiris with his scribe's tools. Gold has been applied to the papyrus to highlight details such as Thoth's moondisc.]

When: Ptolemaic Egypt

Where: Royal Ontario Museum

At the Battle of Marathon, a vastly outnumbered force of Greek hoplites saved Athenian democracy and protected the course of Western civilization.  

Credit: Royal Ontario Museum

In 2019 while filming WWDITS season 2, Harvey paid a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum’s It’s Alive exhibit and enjoyed some spooky shenanigans.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) artifacts and mementos! Sketched in purple/pink ballpoint pen.

Hooded Cloak

1780-1790

Fabric from Colmar, Alsace, France

Royal Ontario Museum (Object number: 972.311.1)

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1957.

Photographer: Michel Lambeth

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas morio

There's just something about today that warrants the showcase of "worms" and this particular specie of Darkling Beetle. Of course, the "worms" here aren't actual worms (referring to Annelids), there are the larval form of the armored individuals. This specie has already been covered before in detail; these pictures are actually part of the same set from a previous December post, so the information provided there also applies here. Although larvae and adults live together in the same terrarium, the latter will not eat the former. At least not while food is plentiful and there are no carcasses from expired Superworms to consider. Larvae however, are much more likely to eat each other, especially if some molt into defenseless pupae. Under the circumstances here, they aren't likely to molt while food and water are plentiful and many larvae are clustered together. Only when isolated from each other or placed in a secure environment will a larva turn into a pupa.

There are none here, but the Z. morio pupa are brownish-white, shrimp-shaped pupa and they eventually metamorphose into the adult Beetles you see before you. It's a staggering change, but the insect world is full of many astounding transformations as larvae/nymphs grow large, mature, and sprout wings. While the adult Beetles is heavily armored and can move around with greater locomotion, security and grip, they do lose certain advantages from their time as larvae. They can easily wriggle and navigate through the earth (or wood chips here), fit into small tunnels without needing to chew and expand them, and contour themselves along a surface as sleek-formed grubs. While these advantages may be missed, what is gained in adulthood (including the abilities to fly and reproduce) is more than worth it. If they would be told what was in store for them by an insect "Herald of the Change", would they accept?

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Check out the many insects of the Royal Ontario Museum if you happen to be in town.

"These works depict a dark aspect of human psychology and truly. universal issues related to gender-based violence and the representation of women's bodies." - Tayeba Begum Lipi

Below: Not For Me, 2018 - Stainless steel razor blades

Above: The Baby Frock, 2019 - Stainless steel razor blades and hanger

Tayeba Begum Lipi, born in Bangladesh, 1969

At first glance, Tayeba Begum Lipi's sculptural works seem almost wearable until you get close and see her provocative choice of material- razor blades. The stiletto shoes and the child-size dress speak to global concerns of violence against women and gender inequity. With their armour-like appearance, the items of clothing also challenge the objectification of women and patriarchal systems of control.

Two days before it was supposed to open, ROM officials told the four Palestinian American women about changes they wanted to make, according to artists Sameerah Hosam Ahmad and Malak Kanan. "They highlighted the word 'Palestine,' and they highlighted the word 'exiled,' and they basically said, 'This is going to need to change for us to be able to show your work,'" Ahmad said. "This was very disturbing. This is the reality of what happened to our peoples." A ROM spokesperson said in a statement the proposed changes were in light of "the current heightened sensitivities around the Israel-Hamas conflict and the pain and suffering of all involved communities." The artists refused.

An 18-hour sit-in and several other protests later, exhibit about death and mourning reopens in Toronto