Horniman Museum...review

[*Bob*]

annaj Wrote:

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> *Bob* that looks a lot like an Orangutan, which is

> a Great Ape, not a Gibbon.

>

> Honestly. Sloppy.

How can anyone not know what an Orangutan looks like? They're bright orange, for a start.

[*Bob*]

See here.. an Orangutan.

Though I enjoyed the schoolmarmly attempt at correction.

"Eeeeektuallly, that looooks raaaather like a greeeeat eeeeeepe"

[annaj]

But the ape in the first picture is bright orange!

Fine, I'll accept that it's a gibbon, or lesser ape, but I still think you could've found better pictures.

And, unlike easily impressed D_C, I refuse to be awed.

[*Bob*]

It's not my fault you don't know a gibbon when you see one.

Admittedly my initial gibbon was a touch on the ginger side, but that's what you get from a low-quality illustration. I was focussing on drawing attention to the eyes, RE lighting-up.. to amuse, delight and educate.

[Moos]

Well said on the Walrus. He may be a bit moth-eaten but the kids laaahv heeeeem.

[katie1997]

the novelty of big red buttons and 'lit eyes/derrieres/etc' will soon wear off...

how about another few million pounds for sound effects and a different coloured button?

[*Bob*]

You could have a lever, which, when pulled, makes the gibbon defecate into a bucket.

Thinking about it, if the baboon was kind-of randomly moving about, it would make trying to get the turd into the bucket more challenging. Kids will love it.

[katie1997]

indeed, several levers to make all variety of exhibits do this.

if you were unlucky enough to miss the 'act' in real time, you could then spend an educational afternoon matching which bucket to which exhibit.

with music. and lights.

oh, and kids will love it.

[KidKruger]

sounds sh!t !

[katie1997]

KidKruger Wrote:

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> sounds sh!t !

you're right KK, sorry got carried away ... :-$

anyway, I do love the gardens at the museum. they are really lovely. also love the views over London from the top of the hill, absolutely amazing on a clear day.

[MrBen]

It's so dimly lit in there, there could be anything lurking in those glass cases. I dare anyone to spend the night in there. On their tod.

[KidKruger]

I strolled through the collection of instruments a couple of weekends ago and it was a wonder to see the crazy thingamyjigs that folks, over the years, have bashed sounds out of.

Probably a comment for the 'what is it to be human ?' thread (or whatever it's called).

They had live music a couple of Sundays ago in the bandstand near the goats. Was great to see locals hanging out and kids hassling for the ace ice cream.

I like the 'main hall' of the museum, it's easy to diss it for being old-fashioned but i bet there's not too many examples of that kind of set-up around these days. Not only are the exhibits still interesting (where ELSE can you see such a collection, let alone on our doorstep !), the entire hall is a snapshot of what 'seeing' the world's animals was for a couple of generations of people. That was it, no gap-year to travel the world, no documentaries. The zoo may have had a few of the exhibits live, but not all.

Extraordinary place, for me.

One thig I really appreciate there is no synthetic sounds, just people. No beeps and buzzes and whirrs from eye-catching machines and 'interactive' devices aimed at 'educating' (except in the kids area by the bees anyway).

[KidKruger]

I strolled through the collection of instruments a couple of weekends ago and it was a wonder to see the crazy thingamyjigs that folks, over the years, have bashed sounds out of.

Probably a comment for the 'what is it to be human ?' thread (or whatever it's called).

They had live music a couple of Sundays ago in the bandstand near the goats. Was great to see locals hanging out and kids hassling for the ace ice cream.

I like the 'main hall' of the museum, it's easy to diss it for being old-fashioned but i bet there's not too many examples of that kind of set-up around these days. Not only are the exhibits still interesting (where ELSE can you see such a collection, let alone on our doorstep !), the entire hall is a snapshot of what 'seeing' the world's animals was for a couple of generations of people. That was it, no gap-year to travel the world, no documentaries. The zoo may have had a few of the exhibits live, but not all.

Extraordinary place, for me.

One thing I really appreciate there is no synthetic sounds, just people. No beeps and buzzes and whirrs from eye-catching machines and 'interactive' devices aimed at 'educating' (except in the kids area by the bees anyway).

[Tarot]

The Horminan is improving,in many ways and the gardens are looking good this year, I met a very knowledgeable garden chap there named Terry,who advised me on a few garden problems I had. So if you need advice seek him out,he used to work at Hampton Court. I reccomend him.