Gift of the Gods celebrates the power of wine in western art and cultureGatineau, Quebec, November 4, 2004 — Gift of the Gods: The Art of Wine from the Ancient World to Canadian Vineyards, a sensuous exhibition that explores the remarkable role of wine in culture, art and celebration in Western Europe and the New World, will open at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec on November 5, 2004.
Organized by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Gift of the Gods will take visitors on a fascinating tour, spanning 7,000 years, of the mythology, social customs and innovations related to the making, serving and drinking of wine.
Presented by the Société des alcools du Québec, the exhibition features 250 outstanding artifacts, primarily from the ROM collections, with additions from the collections of Brock University and Wilfrid Laurier University. The art works on display range from Ancient Greek black-figure vases portraying Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and revelry, to medieval German wine glasses, and exquisite Lalique and Art Nouveau glassware.
A special part of the exhibition, developed by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, presents Canada's own 400-year-old wine-making tradition, from the Viking village of Vinland in Newfoundland to the international awards that Canadian wines are receiving today. Visitors will learn about the traditions of wine-making and drinking that nineteenth-century German and Italian immigrants brought to Canada and about the severe impact of the temperance and prohibition movements on attitudes to alcohol in the early twentieth century.
"This beautiful exhibition will appeal to wine lovers, and art and history enthusiasts alike," says Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. "We are proud to have this outstanding exhibition organized by the Royal Ontario Museum, and to present our special section on the richness of Canada's own wine history."
The dramatic evolution of austere liquor control outlets into today's customer-friendly wine stores, and the exciting boom in "fun" Canadian wines during the 1970s, are just two of the many highlights in this part of the exhibition. Visitors will also be introduced to Canada's first Aboriginal winery, and discover how icewine has become a prestigious, Canadian product, in demand around the world.
A vibrant presence throughout the exhibition is that of Dionysos, the god of wine and its pleasures for the Ancient Greeks. The figure of Dionysos and his entourage of satyrs and ecstatic women followers virtually disappeared from works of art during the Middle Ages. However, images of the god and of his attendants re-emerged in the Renaissance, inspiring many generations of artists working in all types of media. Dionysos and his followers continued to grace decorative works of glass well into the nineteenth century.
During the exhibition's run at the Canadian Museum of Civilization there will be extensive special programming, including wine tastings on November 14, 18, 25 and 28 — the perfect activity given the exhibition's focus on the unequalled pleasures of this delightful beverage.
Gift of the Gods: The Art of Wine from the Ancient World to Canadian Vineyards will be on display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec from November 5, 2004 to April 3, 2005.
FACT SHEETS
Media Information:
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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