Fifteenth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

New core exhibition of Museum of Warsaw is called “Things of Warsaw” and its concept is very rigorous: only objects from the museum’s collections can be displayed. In the era of scenographic and new media based exhibitions, curators decided to return to the roots of museum institution by presenting authentic objects in twenty-three thematic rooms. There are no screens, no multimedia tools, and no projections added, just objects displayed on walls, pedestals, in vitrines and cabinets. There is no big narrative referring to the history of the city or the nation that could organize them, but only micro-stories of chosen things which were participating in past events. This approach may seem traditional or conservative, but in the context of museum boom in Warsaw (and Poland) is rather a radical and provocative statement. The exhibition was intentionally created as opposite to new institutions which turns to immaterial history, based on new media or reconstruction strategy. While The Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN Jewish Museum or Katyń Museum are engaged in historical policy, Museum of Warsaw exhibition inspired by “thing theory” is rising questions about the relation between object and the narration of history, about material conditions of heritage, the definition and limits of museum institution, but also its mission and obligation.