Repurposing Olds Collections New Millenniums' | Alaka Wali | Talks at Google

TL;DR

The Field Museum has found ways to repurpose its century-old collections to tell contemporary stories through exhibits featuring bronze sculptures, collaborations with contemporary artists, and showcasing the work of Native American artists.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: We have a very special treat today. We have Alaka Wali in here to talk to us. Alaka is a curator of North American anthropology at our very own Field Museum. She is also the founding director of the Center of Cultural Understanding and Change, which was founded in 1995. Her research focuses on the relationship between art a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥶 Repurposing century-old collections can provide opportunities for dialogue and critical examination of historical narratives, such as racial typologies.
• 🧑‍🎨 Collaborations with contemporary artists offer fresh perspectives on collections and foster engagement with audiences.
• 👻 Including the voices and perspectives of marginalized communities, such as Native American artists, allows for a more accurate and diverse representation of cultural heritage.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the Field Museum repurpose Malvina Hoffman's bronze sculptures?

The museum created a new exhibit called "Looking at Ourselves, Rethinking the Sculptures of Malvina Hoffman," which critiques the outdated racial typologies associated with the sculptures and explores the continued impact of race and racism in society today.

Q: What is the significance of collaborating with contemporary artists?

Collaborating with artists like Maria Pinto allows the museum to showcase its collections through a new lens and engage audiences with the aesthetic and cultural value of the objects. These collaborations also provide a platform for important conversations about race, aesthetics, and social resilience.

Q: How does the museum involve Native American artists in repurposing collections?

The museum works with Native American artists like Bunky Echo Hawk, Rhonda Holy Bear, and Chris Pappan to incorporate their own artistic perspectives and comments on the representations of Native peoples. This inclusion allows for a more accurate and nuanced portrayal of Native American heritage.

Q: How has the Field Museum utilized multimedia in its exhibits?

Chris Pappan's multimedia installation in the museum's Native American hall intervenes with older representations of Native peoples, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the continued presence and importance of Native communities today.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Field Museum aims to make its collections relevant to modern issues by repurposing them in innovative ways.

• The museum has successfully showcased bronze sculptures by Malvina Hoffman, challenging the problematic narrative of racial typologies.

• Collaborations with fashion designer Maria Pinto and Native American artists like Bunky Echo Hawk and Rhonda Holy Bear have provided fresh perspectives on the collections.