Modern Marvels; The heritage of exhibited disability.
Abstract:
Within the last few decades, museum employees, cultural heritage workers, and similar
professions, have seen an increased societal focus on representation; particularly the representation of groups that have been exposed to marginalization, discrimination and/ or
ostracization throughout human history.
The focus on such representation brings with it
several ethical complications and concerns, – and museums, as well as heritage organizations, should have a clear code-of conduct related to the ‘hidden history’ and ‘difficult heritage’ of the
groups in question.
In one of these groups are people with disabilities and impairments. By examining the production, preservation and presentation of exhibited disability as cultural heritage, this dissertation intends to implement the presentation of ‘freaks’ and the ‘freakshow’ into a larger heritage narrative. […]
My dissertation looks at material attesting to the exhibition of «modern marvels» particularly from a Norwegian – but also a generally Western point of view. My material
examination merges key concepts from heritage research, with the overall framework of postcolonial theory, through a qualitative analysis of textual and visual elements.[…]
Additionally, I have included a discussion about the dissemination of difficult heritage from within museum walls, By focusing on the presentation of disabilities as a popular form of entertainment – a form of entertainment deeply rooted in xenophobic ideas, and with branches into a number of
popular, contemporary entertainment forms, – I intend to say something about how the consequence of ‘freak’ exhibitions in general, has shaped the current historical, social, political relationship between these today.
https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/101133/MA-Dissertation-Silje-Elsrud-Yttervik.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Hvorfor exit etter «Exit»?
@ Museum – Tidsskrift for kritikk, ideer og debatt.
Hva er sirkus?
Written for Museumstjenesten at Museene i Akershus, this article is A small, step by step introduction to how ‘the circus’ became what is is considered today. From acrobats to the amphitheatre, to Barnum and Bailey and beyond.
Sirkusarven
Once again written for Museumstjenesten at Museene i Akershus, this article tackles the various ways the heritage of ‘the circus’ has taken place. From early on circus-families and circus schools (some of which still exist today), to the various, often different ways several elements of the circus still live on through music, esthetics – and various shadow-sides.
https://mia.no/museumstjenesten/sirkusarven