On Friday, the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences “Bernardino Rivadavia” begins a series of activities that propose to investigate a unique link: Science and popular music.
This is what “Tango in the Museum” is about, a course in two complementary parts: from 7 p.m. the proposal is to take milonga lessons and from 10 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy a full orchestral concert. This will take place in the Paleontology Room, with an area of about two thousand square metres, which attempts to piece together the history of the evolution and transformation of species through skeletons and fossil remains that come from 90 percent of the national territory.
The link between science and music may seem strange, but, like geological strata, it is a series of pillars that together suggest a reinvention of uses and customs. Museums so that they are part of the living memory of the community.
This is what biologist and scientist Luis Capuzzo, director of this public organization and promoter of the initiative, explains. “The idea is to improve the cultural offer of our institution and, at the same time, invite people to have a deeper knowledge of heritage. The problem is that museums are ultimately by and for people. So, in this case, during their tango dialogue, our paleontologists will comment on different aspects relevant to the evolutionary history of the planet,” Capuzzo explains in an interview with Page 12.
The tango tournament will be held every Friday in May, at the same time and in the same place. This time there will be a tribute to Carlos Garcelle and Nelly Omar and an investigation into how dinosaurs appeared in the tango. Yes, just as it reads. “The fact that some issues have not been investigated does not mean that they do not exist. For example, last year the Sciamarella Orchestra premiered a tango called ‘El plesiosaur’, which of course it will perform in this cycle,” continues Capuzzo.
He explains that the museum is a showcase for the research institute. Its scientists contribute permanently to science and technology research, preserving collections that are later displayed (although the research is much larger than the space available). This “back room,” supported by Conicet staff and scientists, is of fundamental value Because it is specifically dedicated to all research related to natural life and the expansion of the museum’s collection. Together they are part of one of over three hundred Conicet executive units in the country. I mean, Participation in this activity is a way to support science and knowledge at a particularly complex time for these disciplines.the product of national government funding.
Moreover, the idea It is raising funds to further enhance the value of the rooms based on four axes: Biodiversity, evolution, water, air and land. In this sense, natural resources (i.e. the four axes of the rooms) are the new precious commodities, because having them or not is essential for personal and political survival, as demonstrated by the struggle for the dominance of water or lithium. From here to the discussion about the concentration of wealth and the regional interests that this generates, there is only one step. “We have to focus and look globally at the question of natural history, which is history, present and future. Science provides the key to a possible shift, for example, towards the use of renewable energy. But for that there must be political responsibility and also citizens,” says Capuzzo. They want to know their heritage.”
“This museum arose in 1812 on the initiative of Bernardino Rivadavia. The goal was to create a national museum to collect information about the resources available at a very preliminary moment in the history of our country. More than 200 years later, the function of the National Museum has become to change the museum.” It is not only about preserving knowledge and its treasures, but also about providing knowledge to build critical thinking“Capuzzo explains.
The function of a museum changes over time. Capuzzo finds it necessary to bring him into dialogue With the current complexity of the scientific field and different forms of culture Through activities that are able, without losing depth, to expand knowledge and enjoyment. “Despite everything, yesWe continue to work on building a group project To provide the public with modern rooms and new knowledge,” continues the biologist.
In fact, after the “Tango in the Museum” cycle, the idea will likely expand towards the connection that rock, trap or other genres have with scientific knowledge. It’s something a musician with incombustible clarity said long ago when he predicted that “the dinosaurs will disappear.”
Tango agenda
Every Friday in May, “Tango at the Museum” will begin with tango and milonga lessons led by Rosie Boyer and Valeria Scheidegger, featuring DJ Guillermo Lima. In parallel, there will be talks about science and tours of the museum conducted by the Foundation’s team of scientists. At 10 pm the musical show begins, which on this date is performed by Victoria Moran with the duo Avellano-Fredes. At 10pm on Friday the 17th, it will be the turn of Sciammarella Tango, with Pablo Amster as guest. On Friday the 24th they play La Grela Quintet and on Friday the 31st they play Martin Alvarado, Gerardo Vilas and Los Aguirre. For information and ticket sales, you can visit the museum’s website: www.macnconicet.gob.ar
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