140 artifacts, many never before displayed, showcase 2,000 years of Chinese playthings
(Toronto, Ontario – August 9, 2010) Opening September 11, 2010, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents Playful Pursuits: Chinese Traditional Toys and Games. The exhibition showcases an astounding range of toys, games and pastimes from the 1st century AD right up to modern times, which have fascinated the Chinese, adults and children alike. Featuring approximately 140 artifacts, many never-before-seen objects from the ROM’s renowned Chinese collections, Playful Pursuits presents a unique glimpse into the culture of this ancient and multifaceted nation.
Presented as a companion exhibition to The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army, on display until January 2, 2011, Playful Pursuits is displayed in the Herman Herzog Levy Gallery until May 1, 2011. Both exhibitions vibrantly bring history to life to entertain and inform visitors of all ages.
“We learn from these artifacts that the Chinese people have long understood that engaging in light-hearted pursuits engenders happiness which is beneficial to the well-being of mind and body,” said Dr. Ka Bo Tsang, Assistant Curator of World Cultures. “Visitors will marvel at the toy-makers' creativity and their skill in fashioning objects out of simple, readily available materials.”
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Playful Pursuits presents a rich array of toys and games that are entertaining, intellectually stimulating, stamina-bolstering and/or therapeutic. Also shown are objects that depict players engrossed in such pursuits. Covering a period from the 1st to early 21st century, the artifacts represent five categories: movable, inanimate, sound-producing, sedentary, and active. Each type contains elements of creativity or purpose inspired by Chinese tradition and style. Accompanying the displayed artifacts is information on how the toys and games were used, specific rules of certain games, the results of certain actions when using the movable toys and the history and values inherent in the design or production of the objects.
The movable toys section demonstrates the toy-makers’ ingenuity. Using the most humble materials and simple mechanisms, Chinese artisans and workshops created a great range of playthings, including puzzles, tops and other mechanical toys to challenge the mind and dexterity of the players. Also on display in this area are a variety of puppets and dolls. These toys were often employed to re-enact popular stories and plays or used simply as make-believe playthings appreciated for the enjoyment of making inanimate objects come alive.
Most inanimate toys were created with small children in mind. The diverse subjects they portrayed, such as humans, animals and vehicles, broadened the players’ knowledge about the natural world, history, religion, legends, and daily life. Sound-producing toys include a variety of whistles, noisemakers and instruments. Some of these toys were designed to produce pleasant sounds, others to generate a disagreeable noise. Although deafening to the ear, the setting off of firecrackers, for example, provided an exciting pastime for boys in particular.
The various sedentary games displayed in the exhibition, played often using cards or tiles, were conceived mainly for adults. Participants, ranging from two to several at a time, played while sitting around a table. Both luck and skill were often determining factors for winning. Board games were played mainly by children and adolescents. Since movement of the contestants’ gaming pieces was determined by casting dice, winning depended on chance rather than skill. Such fun-filled games were easy to play, demanding neither players’ wit nor long stretches of time to complete. Once becoming widely popular, some of these games transformed into gambling devices.
Active games were often competitive involving energetic participation. For activities such as acrobatics and wrestling, players underwent special training to develop a high degree of flexibility and agility. Other games, such as pitch-pot, archery, and polo, required excellent marksmanship and coordination. This section of the exhibition also highlights a number of casual pastimes. These consist of active games that could be played any time individually (such as swinging) or in a group (hide-and-seek, cricket fights, etc.). More exuberant recreations, including dragon-dance, masquerades, and stilt-walking, were undertaken on special occasions and during seasonal festivities to heighten the celebratory spirit.
OTHER INFORMATION
Harvest Moon Festival
On the weekend of September 18th and 19th the ROM celebrates the Harvest Moon Festival, an annual event celebrated throughout China and other Asian countries. Known as the Harvest Moon or Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie), its origin may be dated back to the beginning of the Han dynasty (3rd century BC). At this time of year the moon is at its roundest and brightest signaling a time of completeness and abundance. Children get to stay up late and parade through the streets with multi-coloured lanterns as families take to the streets to moon-gaze. ROM visitors join in the fun with special programming offered from 11 am to 4 pm included with Museum admission. Families learn about the origins of the Moon Festival, sample some Moon Cake in Food Studio Café, make their own lanterns and then participate in the ROM’s lantern parade!
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ROM Restaurants and Retail
During the engagement of The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army, both c5 Restaurant Lounge and Food Studio Café offer menus inspired by the culture and cuisine of China. Starting September 2, 2010, c5 also presents a special Afternoon Tea. The menu includes a Crispy Duck Confit Salad first course followed by a variety of sweet and savoury finger foods including Soy Braised Octopus, Red Bean Puff Pastry and Mango Panna Cotta. Afternoon Tea, including one admission to The Warrior Emperor exhibition as well as a general Museum pass, is $59, plus gratuities. For $70, plus gratuities, guests can also enjoy a 6 oz. glass of domestic sparkling wine. The Warrior Emperor Afternoon Tea will be offered Thursday to Saturday, from 3 to 5 pm.
The ROM Museum Store, located on Level 1 of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, offers a variety of home décor, jewellery and much more, celebrating China. A number of fascinating Chinese toys and games, both historical and contemporary are also available for purchase at a range of price points.