Odd Monkey-Fascination to Be Explored at Museum

"Singerie" enjoyed a long run in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The word is singerie  (san-jah-ree) and what it means is the depiction of monkeys in high-class attire behaving like humans.  People all over the world were captivated by this idea in the 18th and 19th centuries and depicted it on everything from drapery fabrics to figurines. They also created wind-up figures, called 'automata' such as those displayed in the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum. On Thurs., June 23 at 7:00 p.m., the museum will  hold an event billed as "Monkey Business: a look at our simian friends through 19th century art, including Automata from the Guinness Collection." "Step back in time and join Guinness Collection staff to re-discover "Singerie", the French word that captures and indentifies the public's …

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5 Things You Need to Know Today

Five Reasons to Visit the Morris Museum Thursday

Spotlight tour, art workshop, new book and a few hours of free admission.

Anytime is a good time to visit the Morris Museum, but this Thursday, May 26, would be a particularly good choice: 1. There's a Drop-in Art Workshop: Every Thursday from 3:30–6:30 p.m., the Museum holds Open Art Workshops that are appropriate for children of all ages. Have some fun as museum educators guide you in creating a small work of art. Stop by any time during the workshop hours. $4 per child for members; $5 per child for non-members 2. There's a One-Hour Spotlight Tour: On Thurs., May 26th from 6-7 p.m., take part in a special program series called, "Illusion & Intrigue: Magician Automata." Museum staff will  help you to, "explore the role of magic in the Victorian-era Paris, through illusion  & magic-related automata (animated …

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