The British Musem: Part 3 - Elgin Marbles

Right then! The Elgin Marbles are arguably the British Museum's most famous, long term exhibit. You can thank this wacky bastard for their having been taken from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as their English given title.There are folk of both countries that would like them returned to their rightful place, but frankly I do not see this happening anytime soon. This is if only for the fact that both countries generally have much higher priorities to worry about and because the timelessness of the Elgin Marbles doesn't exactly put any great urgency to the matter.I wish I had the kind of photographic memory which would have let me piece the marbles into the Parthenon using memories from my trip to Athens, but alas I could only sort of guess. Still, it was interested to know that I have now seen the almost the literal entirety of the Parthenon (a handful of pieces are scattered amongst other national museums, though the Swiss and the Germans are notable for having given theirs back).One nice thing about seeing the marbles was that I wasn't trying to blink back a blazing sun while I observed them, nor where the milling tourists nearly so thick (in more than one sense of the word). Being able to properly focus on some of the statues, like this torso of Poseidon, better allowed me to connect with the majesty of the artistry and the myths to which they are connected.Though you can find all sorts of statements and explanations for what happened regarding the transfer of the marbles and the reasons for keeping or giving them back...I thought it'd be fun to grab a picture of the explanations given on large plaques just outside the entrance to the exhibit.
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In unrelated news, the fourteen tenets of a fascist regime are a hell of a thing to read when you realize that everyone's favorite American administration has checked of every single one.

The British Musem: Part 2

Outside!
The design of the central chamber was not what I was expecting at all...And a few shots from the west wings "Enlightenment" section, just past those lovely clocks.
I rather enjoyed the way this wing made you feel like you were in the library of an eccentric member of the aristocracy...which only makes sense given how such individuals have often given financial aid to the museum over the years.While I fiddled around the neighborhood briefly, I found a specialty store where one could - if one were so inclined - dagger canes and swordsticks.
I may go back for an estimate. Just out of curiosity, you understand.
Tomorrow will undoubtedly yield a comic, but Thursday I'll be showing some of those Greek treasures which the British Museum is "keeping safe". Until then!

The British Museum: Part 1 - CLOCKS

So yes, on Saturday it was pretty plain that the demand to see the Terracotta Warriors was (and is) pretty high in London. I got to the British Museum for 10:30am and was told the first free timeslot (with people being funneled in one end of the exhibit and out the other pretty much nonstop) was 2:20pm. Luckily I had the rest of the museum to explore and luckily the museum is in a neighborhood I am quite familiar with (the museum lay a few blocks east of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus). Logically I should start with the outside and main interior chamber of the museum, but I promised CLOCKS. FANCY CLOCKS. So that's what you get!This impressive ship-clock was designed to roll along the length of a banquet table and to fire off certian cannon's (just a flashbang, of course) to signify moving from one course to another!Phew! Man...so many nice clocks. I gotta go towel off THE SWEAT I'M TALKING ABOUT SWEAT HERE. More to come later!