DE MUSEUMKR@NT





Museums and the 'other'







Umiak (vrouwenboot)





Foto: John Rasmussen
Greenland Tourism Kopenhagen

Eskimoland: De kunst van het overleven
Museon - Den Haag
23 april 1999 - 10 januari 2000

A number of developments in the museum movement during the last few decades have forced museums - both for philosophical and practical reasons - to pay attention to minorities. Of these developments the ethical response to multi-culturalism and globalization poses the greatest challenge. They raise more than anything a basic question about the role of museums in presenting or promoting a cultural as well as a national identity. The trend of development of giving minorities a voice through museum exhibitions is taking shape with different scenarios from one place or time to another.


n terms of museums responses to multi-culturalism there are two main approaches. One is the movement toward establishing 'exclusive' or 'separate' museums that focus on minority cultures. For example, a woman's museum emphasizes history from a woman's perspective. The aim of this museum, could be for instance "to give a voice to minorities". Or rather "focusing on the unspoken and questioning what has been left in silence".

Another trend, is to consult and present a culture from the point of view of an insider based on its own values. Consulting the minority or political group in every step of mounting and planning the exhibition.
The museum staff then becomes a team player. Curators, museum educators and minority representatives discuss which objects to display, what text and words are offensive and which are not. Now the curator has a new role of active listener and advisor. He/she is no longer the expert or presents the bastion of the Truth. The museum has slowly transformed into a democratic forum for debate and now seeks to urge, argue, and interact with its public on a different level than in the past.

The current Inuit exhibit, featuring Dr. Tinbergen and Dr. Nooten's anthropolical collections at the Museon is perhaps the most recent example of how a museum can become a more democratic and accessible forum for others. With the help of politcial organizations such as Circumpolar and Arctic Peoples Alert, it has offered the Inuit community the opportunity to let their voices be heard and give a more 'objective' picure of their history and culture. Visitors are now confronted with the past challenges and present beauty of Greenland's Inuit culture. The collected artefacts by Dr. Tinbergen in the 1930s and the anthropological field notes by Dr. Nooten strengthens our understanding of the importance of whale hunting and religous ceremonies throughout time. With the aid of various interactive videos and an opportunity to chat on the internet with the Inuit community, the visitor gets a better insight of a changing fashions and surviving the cold arctic days. Although 'typical images' of Inuit culture can still be seen throughout the exhibition, they are now contextualized. The masks, kayaks and beaded clothing become more facinating and spectacular as they are 'displayed' in a unique setting. The objects and related images are speaking for themselves. Words are no longer needed

The Museon is tradionally a museum that aims at educating children in understanding the world around them. Leaving this exhibition children and adults alike will not only learn about the Inuit culture but also see that the museum as a platform for debate. Let us hope many others will follow the Museon's steps.

Michèle Jacobs   



Inuit-meisje met jonge sledehond
Foto: Greenland Tourism Kopenhagen




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