Trees vs Museums

Museums have a problem. Fewer and fewer visitors. If schoolkids come at all, they don’t listen to the tour guide. They Google the museum right there, a worldwide concern. 

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg has decided to outsource itself. Meaning? It is now outside, on the grass, among trees and not inside that unique blue building, which looks like arms wrapping around something. How? The museum is busy erecting mounted placards around The Forks, Winnipeg’s premier relaxation area with yards of parkland.

Trees are thoroughly amused. They cannot believe that the truth is out in the open. They have been cut down for thousands of years to make room for buildings regarded more important than nature. When their use comes to an end, some are turned into museums. Trees have the last laugh, because cellphones and computers indicate that museums have an expiry date, trees don’t.

Why and how a museum is built from scratch, including old houses turned into museums, is highly subjective because it depends on who is in office or has money to dish out for tax purposes. Trees and nature don’t have an ulterior motive. They are just there to be enjoyed by all regardless of race and class.

TREES	MUSEUMS
Parks are free for everybody to enjoy.	Entry fee in most museums.
Trees are enjoyed free, day and night.	Museums have set hours.
No language skills required to enjoy the shade.	You must understand English, French and other languages to appreciate museum exhibitions.
Trees are very messy, with leaves and all.	Museums are clean.
Trees are broken by the wind and storms.	Solid structure. Looks the same 24/7.
Trees change colors because of the seasons.	Museums are the same grey or brown color, depending on the history of the museum.
Trees change structure as they grow.	Museums are monolithic.
Birds and squirrels live in trees making noise.	No noise.
Birds are not toilet trained, bird droppings all over.	Museums are clean with male and female rest rooms.
Kids try and chase squirrels that dart up and down trees.	Kids are secured in strollers on museum visits.
Young people sit in the shade at The Forks and check online messages.	Young people do not hang out in museums

Story and pics: Nonqaba waka Msimang, author Sweetness the novel.