Conference: ICOM-ICME Annual Conference 2011
Bad Staffelstein, Germany | Banz Monastery
Dissolving boundaries.
Museological approaches to national, social and cultural issues, from the point of view of ethnographic museums. Borders, boundaries, exclusion, delimitation or the dissolution of boundaries as a result of geographical, political, social and cultural parameters in long-term perspectives are not static. They are linked to a steady influence of different forces. Such processes take place quietly without conflict or they end in graduated collisions.
Borders, boundaries and dissolution are not limited to the grand level of nations or levels of policy planning systems. They also concern the social and cultural constitution of formal and informal groups. Terms like “equal" and "different" are often determined by everyday life experiences. Religious and ethnic identity constructions as well as comprehensive examples of migration, gender or age-specific distinctions present boundaries expressed by exclusions which need to be overcome. The variety of borders and their delimitation contribute towards political and social life.
How do museum ethnographers document and present political and social processes of these types?
What is the role of place (in situ, museum, information center) and the role played by authentic objects, photographs, texts?
What is the response of male and female and other visitors?
The Challenging Museum/Challenging the Museum - Through this topic, speakers can examine how museums of cultures and societies address themes that are perceived as difficult, or connected to dilemmas of various natures. This annual theme has been adopted by the ICME Work Group, chaired by Per B. Rekdal p.b.rekdal@khm.uio.no.