00;00;00;05 - 00;00;12;14
Drew Lipscomb
Hello, I'm Drew Lipscomb with the David Owsley Museum of Art, and this is your Owsley moment, brought to you by IPR and the Ball State School of Art.

00;00;12;16 - 00;00;17;13
Unknown


00;00;17;15 - 00;00;18;17
Unknown


00;00;18;20 - 00;00;48;01
Drew Lipscomb
For centuries, the people of the Pacific Islands have used natural resources to craft everything from tools to ceremonial objects. One such example, in the David Owsley Museum of Art's Oceanic collection, serves both purposes. A ceremonial spatula used for the preparation of betel nut for chewing, made from turtle shells sometime during the 19th century. The turtle shell spatula features a long handle that culminates in a crescent shaped top that includes several connected incisions along the inside edge.

00;00;48;03 - 00;01;08;24
Drew Lipscomb
The designs include abstract bird heads that are back to back, and snake heads that end at the bottom of the crescent. The turtle Shell spatula was created by an artist from the Massy region of Papua New Guinea. This traditional piece is an integral part of their culture and requires a large ceremony, in which the spatula is presented to a widow as a means for them to remarry.

00;01;08;27 - 00;01;40;02
Drew Lipscomb
The spatula also features baggi, which are circular shells that were a form of currency. As well as a general symbol of wealth. The pink tinted shells are woven into the top of the spatula, as a string of them hang on either side, ending with a small white seashell. The use of sea turtle and other shells reflects the machine, people's geographical location and connection to the Pacific Ocean.

00;01;40;04 - 00;01;56;02
Drew Lipscomb
We'd like to thank Ball State student Hannah Cushing for their research. And if you would like to hear passed episodes of the Owsley moment, visit Indiana Public radio.org. To learn more about the David Owsley Museum of Art, visit bsu.edu/doma.