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The World of Coca-Cola, in downtown Atlanta, is home to a large collection of Coke merchandise, packaging and advertising. Besides being a tourist draw, the museum is a symbolic center for one of Atlanta's most prominent civil religions. |
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Stepping off the elevator, the first exhibit visitors are greeted with is a statue by Kenyan artist Elkana Omweri Ong'esa. The statue, carved from solid Kisii soapstone and weighing half a ton, depicts two Maasai dancing around a Coca-Cola bottle. It is one of many pieces of international art that incorporate the iconic shape of the Coca-Cola bottle. |
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At a video kiosk inside a giant coke can, visitors can watch a mini-documentary on Coca-Cola merchandise collectors. |
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The climax of the documentary is the wedding of two collectors who merged their lives and collections at a ceremony in the World of Coca-Cola. |
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Kim, who has worked at the World of Coca-Cola for over three years, plays the part of an old-time soda jerk. While demonstrating the equipment, he can tell you about the woman who burst into tears upon learning the museum was closed or the woman from South America whose child's first word was "Coca-Cola." For the record, Kim thinks of Coke as "just sugar water." |
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A visitor observes how the showy, automated soda fountain works. |
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Visitors can drink unlimited samples of Coca-Cola products from around the world, including the expected American flavors. |
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Several blocks away from the World of Coca-Cola Museum, a sign towers over Peachtree Street, in the very heart of downtown Atlanta's business district. |
