ICAM Session: Hidden narratives in collections

ON TRANSITION: Taking Positions in a Time of Radical Change

2020 is a year of worldwide transition. In most countries, the COVID-19 crisis manifests itself in various ways, impacting social life, culture, economics and education, for example. The crisis makes us focus on the intersection of accessibility to safe public (green) spaces and public services, housing quality and healthcare. In parallel and intertwined with the health crisis, the Black Lives Matter movement grew with increased impact following the killing of George Floyd in the United States. Although BLM is now celebrated with unified displays of public art and solidarity around the world, there is still much to do to support and model a just society. Depending on the geographical and historical context, the reciprocity of spatial injustice and racism, the history of colonialism and gender inequality was addressed with new intensity in 2020, affecting most aspects of public life.

Well aware of the transition, many cultural organisations are redefining their position. Depending on geographical location, the emphasis differs. In Europe, there are big differences between countries. Worldwide, the impact is even more varied. Architectural mediators such as architectural museums, archives/collections and institutes are rethinking the audiences they engage with, the formats they use, the collections they build and the viewpoints of their storytelling. This year has provided cultural institutions with an opportunity for self reflection and an urgent call to find ways that we can be agents for change.

Session: Hidden narratives in collections

The session addresses new perspectives on collections and on the canon, with 3 presentations by ICAM member institutions introducing a discussion.

Presentations:

• Alison Fisher – Art Institute Chicago- Reframing the permanent collection: Bruce Goff at the Art Institute of Chicago
• Annelies Nevejans – Flanders Architecture Institute - Wiki Women Design
• Ilaria Abbondandolo and Francesco Marcorin – Palladio Museum - Architecture as a Common Ground: Building Shared Identities in the Land of Palladio

After registration, you will receive an access link to the online session.

The Session is an initiative of Zoë Ryan, Monika Platzer and Sofie De Caigny. After a call for proposals was launched, they selected the presentations joined by Martien de Vletter, Abraham Thomas and Aric Chen.