Basketball Exhibit

I didn’t leave the James Naismith “Original Rules of Basket Ball” exhibit at the Nelson Art Museum ready to lace up my Nike’s. Instead, it made me wonder why sports memorabilia is being showcased as an exhibit at the Nelson. The Rules provide historical information about Basketball as a sport. I stepped back from all of the media attention and excitement from my dad about “March Madness” basketball this month and realize that the Naismith Original Rules of Basket Ball are actually an artifact.

I looked up the definition of an artifact which is “something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially an object remaining from a particular period.” Indeed, the Rules are a rare and unique piece of history, but I kept pondering to myself, is this a real art form that should be showcased as a cool exhibit for lovers of art to enjoy at the Nelson? On one hand, it seems like a piece of history about a sport that sports fans would want to see. The most logical place for the general baskeball loving public to have access to this history is our beloved Nelson (which partially looks like a basketball court right when you walk in now)! The Rules provide historical information about the sport but don’t provide artistic value. So Kansas Jayhawk fans wearing your crimson and blue colors, there you go, enjoy the exhibit and by the way, take some additional time to check out and learn from the creativity overflowing at the Nelson while you are there!

I might also add that it was publicized that a University of Kansas family purchased the Rules for several millions of dollars. This situation at the Nelson makes me think further that the exhibit is actually showcasing a rich family that loves Jayhawk basketball, and the museum is allowing the sport to be emphasized instead of expressing artwork. However, I’ll step back a bit and understand that James Naismith did invent the sport of basketball, and he did put down in writing the “Original Rules of Basket Ball” in 1891. An artifact does provide our community real value and historical importance. So, you could say it’s a “slam dunk” to make some room for the Original Rules of Basket Ball to be featured, and allow some sports fans the opportunity to see them. At the same time, these people can also experience Kansas City’s original rules of artistic expression and the most unique, and creative environment provided by our reliable Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Lace ‘em up Kansas City….