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Tarzan Exhibition In Paris

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A new exhibition in Paris explores what the Tarzan tales say about our understanding of African culture. The exhibition is currently held at the Musée du Quai Branly ( http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/ ) near the base of the Eiffel Tower, and is organized by French sociologist and anthropologist Roger Boulay who explores Tarzan's popularity nearly a century after he was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. "Even if the Tarzan novels are not much read anymore, the character remains famous worldwide through television, films and comics," notes BBC reporter Vincent Dowd.

The museum’s director, Stephane Martin, says the Tarzan phenomenon is well worth studying. He told reporters, "How pop culture creates a vision of non-Western culture is a serious topic. It's a vision a lot of Westerners had of Africa in the first part of the 20th century."

Curator Roger Boulay reminds exhibition visitors that "There is a big difference between the original Tarzan of the Burroughs novels and the culturally impoverished Tarzan of Hollywood movies. The literary Tarzan is complex and eventually speaks 12 languages, while the movie Tarzan is often a caricature who speaks only in grunts."

The exhibition covers the 12 Weissmuller Tarzan films of the 1930s and 1940s, as well as "the indestructible eroticism" of the early silent films, pointing out that Burroughs was ill-served by the movie versions until the "Greystoke" film of 1984 reverted "more or less" to the original story.

CNN reporter John Lichfield observes: "It is worth noting that Tarzan's second spoken language was French, learned from a French officer rescued from cannibals . . . so Paris and the Quai Branly does have a legitimate claim to Tarzan after all."

The exhibition remains open until September 29 of this year. More information and pictures are available online at http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/ programmation/exhibitions/currently/tarzan/index.html. 

A printed catalogue of the exhibit has been produced and can be ordered for €19.95 + shipping.

 

NOTICE TO BURROUGHS BIBLIOPHILES MEMBERS There will be a board meeting of the Burroughs Bibliophiles, Inc. at the annual Dum-Dum on August 15, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio. You are invited to attend, or send questions and discussion topics to the board secretary: Dr. J. G. Huckenpöhler, c/o convention host Richard C. Spargur
5535 Woodbridge Lane, 
Dayton, Ohio, 45429. 
Phone: (937) 434-8676.

Standing on rocks which hold a small pond complete with frogs, Tarzan balances with a knife in one hand and a spear in the other, scanning the horizon for danger.

Excellent detail. Sculpted by fan favorite Procopio, the King of the Jungle stands over 16" tall and is individually numbered for authenticity.