Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
THE Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) is seeking assistance from the public to mount an Independence exhibition.
The exhibition - titled 1962 - is being planned for August 9, and will be staged to reflect on the country's achievement of independent nationhood, according to Wayne Modest, IOJ's director of musesums.
To make the show a success, the public is being asked to donate or lend objects and memorabilia produced for Independence celebration in 1962.
"These may include pamphlets, booklets, tickets, programmes, utensils, cards, invitations, comics, and any other souvenir items," Mr. Modest told The Sunday Gleaner. "Anything produced for or relevant to the celebration."
The mementoes will be included in the exhibition, which is expected to run from August to November at the Institue's exhibition gallery.
According to Mr. Modest, the proposed exhibition "will explore the attitudes of Jamaicans in the pre-Independence period, as well as after Independence through the objects produced."
It will examine the "objects" created during the periods - whether for common use, memorabilia or artistic representations - as indicators of the Jamaican attitude at the time.
The objectives, Mr Modest explained, are to "stimulate memories of the celebration for those who were involved in this crest in nationhood," while teaching those born in the post-Independence about their sense of identity and nationhood.
Although geared primarily towards children, the exhibition is expected to attract an adult population who can recall this period.
Mr. Modest also explained that, in addition to the main exhibition, a smaller exhibition titled Ska will also be mounted.
"This will highlight the musical genre which provided an outlet for the expressions of hopes, dreams and perceptions of Independece," he explained. "Through the lyrics, we can see how the fervour for nationhood was formed and informed"
Persons interested in donating objects may contact Mr. Modest at the Institute of Jamaica, 10-15 East Street, downtown Kingston or Tel: 922-0620-6 or Fax: 922-1147 or at e-mail: mus.ioj@n5.com.jm/ or ioj.jam@mail.infochan.com
