The Project and its Research Fields
MeLa* European Museums in an age of migrations is a four year multidisciplinary and collaborative Research Project involving nine European Partners, which had been funded in 2011 within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission.
Adopting the notion of “migration” as a paradigm of the contemporary global and multi-cultural world, MeLa investigated the role of museums in 21st century Europe, and their ongoing evolution triggered by accelerated mobility, fluid circulation of information, ideas and cultures, and the consequent increase of cultural encounters, cross-fertilisation and hybridisation of societies and identities, as well as by the politic, economic and cultural processes pertaining to the creation and consolidation of the European Union. By analysing contemporary museums both as cultural spaces and physical places, MeLa aimed at identifying innovative practices which may enhance their role in fostering mutual understanding, social cohesion, and a sharper awareness of an inclusive European identity.
To fulfil its objectives the Project has been organized into different Research Fields:
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Research Field 01
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Museums & Identity in History and Contemporaneity
Research Field 01
Museums & Identity in History and Contemporaneity Research Field 01 - Museums & Identity in History and Contemporaneity
RF01 examined the historical and contemporary relationships between European museum representations and identity within the contextual structure of place.
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Research Field 02
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Cultural Memory, Migrating Modernity and Museum Practices
Research Field 02
Cultural Memory, Migrating Modernity and Museum Practices Research Field 02 - Cultural Memory, Migrating Modernity and Museum Practices
RF02 examined the question of memory to reassess its relationship with identities and migration, and redefine its role in the social spaces of museums.
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Research Field 03
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Network of Museums, Libraries and Public Cultural Institutions
Research Field 03
Network of Museums, Libraries and Public Cultural Institutions Research Field 03 - Network of Museums, Libraries and Public Cultural Institutions
RF03 aimed to investigate, identify and propose innovative coordination strategies between European museums, libraries & other public cultural institutions.
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Research Field 04
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Curatorial and Artistic Research
Research Field 04
Curatorial and Artistic Research Research Field 04 - Curatorial and Artistic Research
RF04 explored new approaches to the relationship between art, migration and representation within the contemporary exhibition sector.
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Research Field 05
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Exhibition Design, Technology of Representation and Experimental Actions
Research Field 05
Exhibition Design, Technology of Representation and Experimental Actions Research Field 05 - Exhibition Design, Technology of Representation and Experimental Actions
RF05 explored and experimented with the potentialities of communication technologies in the renovation of museum approaches and practices.
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Research Field 06
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Envisioning 21st Century Museums
Research Field 06
Envisioning 21st Century Museums Research Field 06 - Envisioning 21st Century Museums
RF06 aimed to identify and envision innovative exhibition strategies, approaches and tools, enhancing the role of European museums in this “age of migrations”.
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