97 settlement and colonialization, the foundation and growth of MAA, and the importance of the collections today. The rich material on display also highlights the continuing significance of central aspects of Fijian culture. An installation of a solevu, a ceremonial event involving the presentation and redistribution of goods, links the past with the present (fig. 13). Importantly, MAA’s collection has connected museum staff and researchers with Fijian communities, both in Fiji and within the UK. Prior to the installation of the exhibition and drawing on traditional Fijian architectural features, the pillars in the gallery were wrapped with barkcloth (masi) and bound with coir cord (magimagi). This work, known as lalawa, which was done by members of the UK Fijian community, helped to transform the room into a Fijian space (fig. 14). Chiefs & Governors: Art and Power in Fiji has prompted collaborative research on Fijian history, art, and culture, as well as illuminated the colonial and disciplinary histories that brought these extraordinary things to Cambridge. The Fijian Art Research Project team is developing further comparative research in association with the project’s numerous partner institutions, individual scholars, and Fijian community members. Plans are underway for a more comprehensive touring exhibition drawing on Fijian collections from numerous museums. FIG. 8 (left): Breastplate, civavonovono. Collected in Fiji. Black-lipped pearl shell inset into plates of whale ivory with a fibrous cord. D: 28 cm. Presented to Sir Arthur Gordon, 1875–80. Photo: Jocelyne Dudding. © MAA Z 2730. FIG. 9 (above): Necklace. Collected in Fiji. Human-shaped figures and pendants of whale ivory strung on finely plaited coir cords. L: 52 cm. Presented to Lady Gordon, 1875–1880. Photo: Jocelyne Dudding. © MAA Z 2752. Exhibition information: Chiefs & Governors: Art and Power in Fiji is curated by Anita Herle and Lucie Carreau. The exhibition runs until 19 April 2014 at the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. MAA is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 am–4:30 pm. Extended summer opening hours until 29 September are Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon–5:00 pm. A catalog, 136 pages with 189 illustrations, is available from the museum shop or at maa.cam.ac.uk/maa. Acknowledgements Chiefs & Governors: Art and Power in Fiji is the first major outcome of the Fijian Art Research Project (2011–2014) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK. Led by Steven Hooper, the project members include Lucie Carreau, Anita Herle, Katrina Igglesden, Karen Jacobs, and Andy Mills, with specialist consultant Fergus Clunie. For further information, see www.fijianart.sru.uea.ac.uk or www.facebook.com/fijianartproject. Additional funding for the exhibition and catalog was provided by Arts Council England, the University of Cambridge Crowther- Beynon Fund, and the University of East Anglia Sainsbury Research Unit.
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