EXHIBITION SPOTLIGHT:
‘’Matter(s) of Perspective. A Prelude’’
November 05th, 2024
The temporary exhibition titled "Matter(s) of Perspective. A Prelude" delves into radical perspectives that illuminate colonialism as a macrosocial phenomenon and takes place at the Ethnologisches Museum. This installation specifically addresses the lasting impacts of colonization in former German territories, namely Cameroon, Namibia, and Oceania, and explores their connections to contemporary issues.
Through a diverse array of materials—including photographs, schoolbooks, sculptures, and interviews—the exhibition prompts visitors to reflect on the contrasting perspectives of colonizers and those who were colonized. It emphasizes
the concept of Othering, illustrating how German society has historically viewed Cameroonian, Namibian, and Oceanic communities, and vice versa.
In line with current discussions surrounding restitution, the exhibition intentionally shifts away from traditional museum artefacts, opting instead for reproductions to highlight these differing viewpoints. This choice aims to foster a more critical engagement with the material presented.
Additionally, the exhibition features artistic works that shed light on cultural and institutional narratives. Notably, it includes biographies of Namibians who spent part of their childhood in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1979 onwards, along with films and images that explore themes of intersectionality and the effects of colonial cultural exchange.
Located in Exhibition Area 214, the collections focused on Namibia, Cameroon, and the Pacific. "Matter(s) of Perspective" serves as a prelude to a series of five upcoming temporary exhibitions organized by the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, which was launched in the spring of 2022. These future presentations will integrate various fields of knowledge and involve collaboration with social and community representatives whose histories are connected to the exhibited objects.
