Questioning Boxes: Migration, Transnationalism, and Cultural Fluidity in the Museum

Allison Adler, Anthropology
Coach House, Green College, UBC
Monday, January 23, 8-9 pm

Historically, museums in the West have played a role in reflecting abstract ideas of a “pure” national identity that reinforce borders and exclusionary ideas of belonging. However, this role is being increasingly questioned as museums move to address transcultural issues, such as migration, and serve as spaces of experimentation and debate for a wider, ever-shifting public. This talk will focus on the history of the Western museum and how museums are now using exhibitions to question boundaries in light of globalization.