This week the readings by Paul Basu and Anna Catalani dealt with the role of museums in representing and adding value to diasporic communities. Basu would argue that museums could help in removing the negative images of civil war and violence associated with Sierra Leone. When galleries display cultural practices, religion rituals, and other components of Sierra Leone, audiences can associate Sierra Leone with positive characteristics rather than violence. These positive associations can be crucial to Sierra Leone diasporas, as they can be catalyst to integration or acceptance to a foreign society.
Both Catalani and Basu acknowledge how museums are colonial endeavors the collection of objects as trophies of the land they have acquired, museums in a way are stolen objects (the same way colonial powers stole slaves). However negative museums might seem, Basu would argue non-western museums are extremely valuable. They can be more influential out of their home context: they aid in creating network of exchange which demand responsibility of both parties (host/ new comers) “we might begin to see the value, for originating communities, of maintaining objects in diasporic contexts rather than insisting on their return” (Basu 2011: 19).
I appreciated Catalani discussion on history vs. memory; as she explain how different they are but at the same time how inseparable. History is a description/write up of a story that can be from an outsider long after the fact. Memory is personal and passed on orally. Catalani argues that history encourages memory not to be forgotten. I believe that some history is hard to belief without proof and originality “Therefore, in order to keep some traces of ‘original’ memory, society collects it through organized images, speeches, and any visible signs, including in our case, museum exhibitions.” (Catalani 2010: 4)
What I find problematic in general with museums and Catalani mentions it, the importance of the curator. Galleries might try to represent Sierra Leone in a positive light but seclusion/ left behind can cause a diaspora to fell more of an outcast. What gets included is highly dependant on the curator in charge of the museum.
Questions
1. How does “remittances corridors” apply to object diasporas? What are they?
2. At the end of Bau’s article he says, “By reanimating Sierra Leone’s object diaspora, the aspiration is that this diaspora will contribute to the reanimation of Sierra Leone itself.” (Basu 2011: 21) Can he mean the reanimation of Sierra Leone through money from abroad/remittances? Or positive images? Or Both?
HI Cat,
ReplyDeleteWhat I gathered from the readings is that remittance corridors of object diasporas are sometimes tangible and sometimes intangible things that the object gives back by being abroad and being in a constant change of location and context. For example, Basu says that Sierra Leonean art gives remittances such as cultural tourism (tangible = money) and also these collections may provide cultural resources for the Sierra Leonean community abroad.
Hey Cat,
ReplyDeleteto your second question, I believe that it applies to both really... when the diaspora sees what good can come out of the positive exposure (we hope) that is garnered by displaying these objects, hopefully not only the diaspora population but also the ones responsible for bringing these artifacts into their new homes, will contribute to upkeep not only the integrity of the objects but to further that exposure, and hopefully have it open up a few more eyes
Hey Cat,
ReplyDeleteI think that both financial benefits and positive outlooks/interest are seen to be generated by these diasporic objects. By hosting these objects in museums, their legacy is maintained. This is turn allows for a people to connect with a history that might have otherwise been lost otherwise. Stimulated interest can trigger the desire for a greater connection, perhaps pushing people to travel to these countries of origins, or perhaps just invest or "lend a hand", so that their positive experiences can be maintained for future generations.