Strange event at RAFFMA is source for new exhibit

San Bernardino, CA - The mysterious fall of an ancient funeral mask from its display case is the inspiration for creative reactions to the event in a group exhibit of contemporary art. The exhibition will be held at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at Cal State San Bernardino.

“The Mysterious Burial Mask: Information and Evidence” will be on display Oct. 8-25 in RAFFMA’s The Dutton Family Gallery. A reception for the exhibition will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Artists for the show include Sophia Allison, Matthew Blair, Sapira Cheuk, Paul Evans, Kio Griffith, Micol Hebron, Siobhan Hebron, Tiernan Hebron, Jorge Mujica, A.E. Van Fleet and HK Zamani.

This exhibition, conceived and curated by CSUSB M.F.A. student Andrew K. Thompson, was inspired by a strange occurrence that took place at RAFFMA on April 23, 2009.

On that day, during an exhibition installation, between 2:45 and 3:02 p.m., the funerary mask mysteriously slid across the bottom of its display case, rolled over and fell face down on the floor. The vitrine that typically covered the mask was removed at that moment for cleaning.

Video surveillance of the event shows staff members and volunteers putting final touches on the exhibition, a few hours before its opening. Activities were routine at best and there was no movement close to the mask.

After the event, the museum staff conducted a series of tests, including checking for seismic activity to see if that could unlock the enigma, but each test proved inconclusive. Conservators have since repaired the mask. The incident has never been explained.

Thompson relayed the story -- along with the small amount of information and evidence available about the strange occurrence -- to the curated group of artists and invited them to devise a creative response to the event. The exhibition will include the burial mask displayed alongside the contemporary artworks.

About RAFFMA

The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art is a nationally recognized museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a Washington, D.C.,-based organization whose members must meet the highest standards in securing accreditation. It is the only accredited art museum in San Bernardino.

Over its 18-year history, RAFFMA has accumulated a permanent collection of nearly 1,200 objects focusing on Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art. The museum houses the largest permanent and public display of Egyptian art in Southern California.

General admission to the museum is free. Suggested donation is $5. Parking at Cal State San Bernardino is $5 per vehicle.

The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and is closed Friday and Sunday. For more information, call (909) 537-7373 or visit the RAFFMA website.