When we think of visiting museums around the world, what comes to our mind is either the Tate, the MET or the Louvre. In Amsterdam, it could be the Rembrandt House, and in Florence the Uffizi Gallery. However, we recently found that there exists a parallel universe of museums where strange things and practices thrive!
Here¡¯s a list of 7 such places:?
lostateminor
This cave museum contains hair samples and names from over 15, 000 women around the world - locks of hair are plastered on the walls and ceiling. It is run by Chez Galip, a potter in Avanos, and there are two versions of how the museum came into being. The first one says that when Galip¡¯s friend was leaving the town, she left behind a lock of hair in remembrance, and subsequent visitors began to follow suit. However, the other story is that it was done as a promotional activity to attract more people for his pottery class.
tripfreakz
What started as collection by scholar John Hunt and his wife Gertrude, led to becoming a full-fledged museum, over a period of time. The Dog Collar Museum is located inside the Leeds castle at Kent. The collection spans five centuries - from medieval to Victorian times. Embellished, leather crafted or made out of velvet, you¡¯ll find dog collars of all sorts. The exhibition draws more than 500,000 visitors each year.?
unknownworld
Deep under the waters of the Mexican Caribbean, you¡¯ll find over 400 life size sculptures ranging from 9 feet to 20 feet. These are a part of the MUSA (Museo Subacu¨¢tico de Arte) project started by English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. The art installations are made out of coral reefs and other things found under the sea and aims to conserve the existing natural reefs.?
vindulge
A visit to this museum is the perfect way to mend your broken heart. Contribute to the existing collection to get over your grief. Leave behind a little token that you can easily part with. From wedding dresses to lingerie, jilted lovers have donated them all. Each item also carries a description of how the relationship ended. However, no personal information is revealed. The museum exhibition has toured internationally helping people find solace through this concept.?
dailymail
Here¡¯s a place that celebrates bad art. Located in Boston, the institution houses works of art that will not be appreciated elsewhere. The museum takes prides in trashy finds and displays more than 600 art pieces that are deemed useless otherwise. It was started in 1993 by Scott Wilson, an antiques dealer, when he found an (iconic) oil painting lying in the trash. Each piece will have something wrong with it and will not appeal to audiences in the conventional sense.?
bloggaiijinpot
A museum dedicated to Ramen noodles, from the history to the packaging of noodles ¨C you¡¯ll find it all here. The museum tells the story of the world¡¯s first Ramen noodles, which were created by Momofuku Ando. There are over 3,000 different types of Ramen packets on display and one can also visit Momofuku¡¯s work shed. The interactive activities allow you to sample noodles as you browse along, and even create your own packet of instant noodles!
amusingplanet
If you¡¯ve ever wanted to know all about toilets and sanitation, this is the place to visit! The museum narrates the evolution of toilets and everything from toilet etiquette to anecdotes are on display. The highlight is the collection of poems dedicated to toilets. A popular tourist attraction, the museum receives a steady stream of annual visitors, both locals and tourists.?
Cover image courtesy Business Insider