Retrospect: Opening of the East Wing at the Humboldt Forum

A video review of a major event at the Humboldt Forum: the opening of the East Wing galleries in September 2022.

From the official website:

To mark the opening of the final section of the collection displays of the Ethnologisches Museum and the Museum für Asiatische Kunst of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin at the Humboldt Forum on 17 September 2022, some 80 representatives of international communities, indigenous experts, colleagues from museums in the countries of origin, artists, filmmakers, and academics from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania all travelled to Berlin. In a workshop programme held over the 10 days leading up to the opening, these visitors engaged in a lively discussion on topics such as the evolution of the work of the museums and of the Humboldt Forum.

The Ethnological Museum in Berlin places an explicit emphasis on transcultural cooperation when curating its programe. In addition to collaborating with an international community of museums and academics, the museum is also increasingly seeking to establish channels of communication and exchange with representatives from the countries of origin of the objects in its collection. It is through our collaborative endeavors that we are able to expand our interpretation of the museum’s historical collections to encompass new perspectives. Museum objects offer a material catalyst for reactivating relationships and dialogues between the museum and the objects’ respective communities of origin. Our goal is to ensure these relationships are as dynamic, equitable and meaningful as possible in the interest of all involved.

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