Cabinets of Curiosities, also called Wunderkammers, or Wonder Rooms, initially referred to collections of interesting objects that filled entire rooms, then later, dedicated cabinets or cupboards. With an emphasis on the unusual, esoteric, and odd, these collections inspired a sense of wonder, curiosity, examination, and categorization, stimulating the emerging field of scientific inquiry and are considered the precursors of museums.
While the first documented collections of curiosities emerged in the 16th century, the trend flourished throughout the Renaissance period in Europe. Collections commonly included objects from one or more categories; Artificialia – works of art created by humans, Naturalia – creatures, insects, shells, coral, skeletons, fossils, stones, feathers, natural objects, etc., Exotica – exotic plants and animals, and Scientifica – scientific instruments; compasses, pulleys, weights, scales, or tortes.
Described as “a microcosm of the endless, divinely created macrocosm whose wonders never cease” it is not difficult to imagine the Sandplay collection as a contemporary version of such Wunderkammers or Wonder Rooms. In fact, one researcher and scholar stated that the Cabinet of Curiosities attempted to capture, “all knowledge, the whole cosmos arranged on shelves”, while another expounded, “Drawers and shelves housed original objects acquired through long journeys to faraway lands. Every object offered an opportunity to tell a story…Standing at the center of this mini-universe and pointing at the objects to disclose their deepest secrets, collectors felt a sense of ease and mastery over a world that most often appeared too big, too confusing, and too inhospitable.”
This Toolkit will offer an overview of the history of Cabinets of Curiosities and the phenomenon of collecting non-essential objects in the spirit of wonder and amazement and how this laid the foundation for the field of scientific inquiry. Parallels to collecting Sandplay figures will be explored and thoughts on the psychology of collecting shared.
A Zoom link will be sent to you a few days prior to the event.
Registration is closed for this event.