Fiery Pool: Maya and the Mythic Sea

FAIN: GI-50062-09

Peabody Essex Museum, Inc. (Salem, MA 01970-3726)
Daniel Finamore (Project Director: August 2008 to May 2011)

Implementation of a traveling exhibition, a catalog, a website, and educational and public programs that will offer new perspectives on the centrality of water in ancient Maya art and culture.

The Peabody Essex Museum requests $400,000 toward the costs of Fiery Pool: Maya and the Mythic Sea, a ground-breaking traveling exhibition, publication, interactive website and suite of school and intergenerational public programs that will present recent scholarship, newly excavated material, and recent advances in epigraphy to a broad general public. This first truly themed exhibition on Maya art and culture will investigate the centrality of water, primarily the sea, to Maya daily life and spiritual beliefs and practices through 90 objects from 10 countries but primarily from those in the Yucatan region of Central America. Objects range in size from small, finely incised precious materials to large-scale stone stela and carved architectural elements up to 11 feet tall. Multi-media interpretive elements will allow visitors to better "read" Maya symbolism, particularly relating to water and water rituals as well as to understand Maya hieroglyphic writing and origin stories.

Media Coverage

A new view of the Maya (Review)
Author(s): Sebastian Smee
Publication: The Boston Globe
Date: 4/4/2010
Abstract: Review of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea"
URL: http://pem.org/writable/resources/document/boston_globe_review_040210.pdf

Maya's Mythic sea (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Eve M. Kahn
Publication: The New York Times
Date: 3/15/2010
Abstract: Media coverage of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in Eve M. Kahn's Antiques column of the New York Times. Also in the Art & Design section of www.nytimes.com
URL: http://pem.org/writable/resources/document/new_york_times_032610.pdf

Art (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Holland Cotter
Publication: The New York Times
Date: 3/28/2010
Abstract: Media mention of Peabody Essex Museum's upcoming exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in the The Week Ahead column of the Sunday edition of the New York Times.
URL: http://pem.org/writable/resources/document/new_york_times_032810.pdf

Fire and Water (Review)
Publication: Metrowwest Daily News
Date: 3/28/2010
Abstract: Review of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea."
URL: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/arts/x905411470/Peabody-Essex-exhibit-reinterprets-Maya-art-and-civilization

Mayan treasures share mystical connection to water (Review)
Author(s): Alan Burke
Publication: The Salem News
Date: 3/26/2010
Abstract: Review of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in the Lifestyles section of The Salem News, also available on www.salemnews.com
URL: http://www.salemnews.com/lifestyle/x1690090195/Mayan-treasures-share-mystical-connection-to-water?keyword=topstory

Power Plays, The Maya and the Kennedys at the Peabody Essex (Review)
Author(s): Greg Cook
Publication: The Boston Phoenix
Date: 5/21/2010
Abstract: Review of two exhibitions at the Peabody Essex Museum: "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" and "The Kennedys / Portrait of a Family: Photographs by Richard Avedon."
URL: http://thephoenix.com/boston/arts/102334-power-plays/

Archaeology (Review)
Author(s): Norman Hammond
Publication: The Times Literary Supplement
Date: 4/16/2010
Abstract: A review of the publication "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" edited by Daniel Finamore and Stephen D. Houston in the Archaeology section of the Times Literary Supplement. This publication was created to accompany the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea."

Saint Louis museum brings in relics of Mayan culture (Review)
Author(s): Wayne Anderson
Publication: Columbia Daily Tribune
Date: 3/6/2010
Abstract: Review of traveling exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" organized by the Peabody Essex Museum on view at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Maya culture seen in a 'Fiery Pool' (Review)
Author(s): Calvin Wilson
Publication: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Date: 2/20/2010
Abstract: Review of the exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, on view at the St. Louis Art Museum.

The matter of the Maya (Review)
Author(s): Gaile Robinson
Publication: The Dallas Morning News
Date: 8/29/2010
Abstract: Review of the exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" organized by the Peabody Essex Museum on view at the Kimbell Art Museum.

The Fiery Pool (Review)
Publication: Minerva
Date: 5/1/2010
Abstract: Review of Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in Minerva. Minerva is the leading international publication focusing on archaeology, the antiquities markets, and exhibitions.

Water and the Maya (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Janet Crane
Publication: Americas
Date: 4/1/2010
Abstract: Media coverage on the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in the magazine Americas, a publication of the Organization of American States issued in separate English and Spanish editions.

Peabody Essex, Massachusetts Museum, Features Rare Glimpse of Ancient Maya Culture (Review)
Author(s): Mary Bucci McCoy
Publication: Artes Magazine
Date: 5/11/2010
Abstract: Review of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea in Artes Magazine, which covers fine art, architecture and design.

Sea Change (Review)
Author(s): John Dorfman
Publication: Art & Antiques
Date: 9/1/2010
Abstract: Review of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in Art & Antiques magazine, a publication for collectors of the fine and decorative arts.

Fiery Pool The Maya and the Mythic Sea (Review)
Author(s): James Foritano
Publication: Artscope
Date: 5/1/2010
Abstract: A review of Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in Artscope, New England's culture magazine.
URL: http://artscopemagazine.com/asdyn/index.wr?is=25&a=8

Mythic Sea (Media Coverage)
Publication: World Sculpture News
Date: 12/1/2010
Abstract: Media coverage of the Peabody Essex Museum's exhibition "Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea" in World Sculpture News in the News Brief section.

Associated Products

Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea (Book)
Title: Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea
Author: Stephen D. Houston
Author: Daniel Finamore
Abstract: Drawing on archaeological discoveries and developments in deciphering Maya glyphs, this title presents a revisionist reading that shifts the emphasis of interpretation to the mythic power of the sea as the basis of a larger, deeper cultural narrative and history for the Maya. It provides an interdisciplinary context for understanding Maya art.
Year: 2010
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/fiery-pool-the-maya-and-the-mythic-sea/oclc/501186772&referer=brief_results
Primary URL Description: WorldCat record
Publisher: Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, and Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut
Type: Multi-author monograph
ISBN: 9780300161373

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