Practical and Investigative Aspects of the Museology of Traumatic Memories
This strand of museological studies originates from reflections on the traumatic memories of the dictatorship , but extends beyond it . The Museology of Traumatic Memories is concerned with investigating , preserving , reframing , communicating and managing memories associated with traumatic historical events , including genocides , dictatorships , wars , internal armed conflicts , natural disasters and other impactful events for a community . Its objective is to engage with the social memories of historical traumas , fostering contemporary debates to strengthen the defence of human rights .
Its foundational principles emphasise acknowledgment of conflicts and disputes regarding official public memory and underscores the significance of democratising historically marginalised memories to promote civic awareness , particularly from a decolonial perspective . It is important to recognise that working with memories of human rights violations affects both researchers and the researched subjects . Claiming neutrality in research on crimes against humanity is untenable , given the multidimensionality of social memory . Therefore , it is essential to acknowledge and navigate divergences and disputes surrounding the public recording of official memory , using these discussions as an intergenerational catalyst to combat hate speech and prevent future crimes .
In Brazil , the “ escrevivência ” ( term referring to the writing that is born from the life experience of the author and his people ), promulgated by the Afro- Brazilian linguist and writer Conceição Evaristo , has gradually been well received in the Academy . For Evaristo ( 2016 ), writing springs from the experiences and memories of the individual who writes .
Some recurrent themes in the works examined contribute to a broader understanding of the field , highlighting nuances specific to museology . For instance , most museological institutions addressing traumatic memories often emerge from social demands but retain little or no institutional memory . Challenges in handling testimonies , designing exhibitions , facilitating educational interactions and managing these institutions are also critical aspects explored in the research . Some pertinent questions include :
On exhibitions : Is it mandatory for memory institutions dealing with historical trauma to list the names of victims , and how should they select which names to include when the list is extensive ? How can these institutions effectively explain these crimes to different age groups and should they allow immersion in violent content ? What are the primary considerations in exhibition design ( expography ) and should curatorship be collaborative and dynamic rather than permanent ?
The experiences documented in the research suggest that the text is often not the most significant expographic element in an exhibition . Instead , an exhibition focused solely on presenting trauma-related content may be perceived as insufficient . Many Sites of Memory and Conscience have incorporated spaces for reflection and hope following immersion in distressing content . These observations represent a bridge between theory and practice .
Regarding educational mediation , which plays a pivotal role in visitor engagement , managing conflicts and memory disputes that arise during exhibitions or are brought by the public requires ongoing training and development . Additionally , questions about the role of emotion in processing traumatic memories and how educational programmes can strengthen individuals ’ rights to memory and freedom of expression merit further exploration . These inquiries contribute to the broader dialogue within the field , particularly as museums work towards decolonisation .
The field of museology also grapples with the concept of participatory management . While participatory management can enhance institutional sustainability in various dimensions , it is essential to consider the boundaries and potential risks associated with involving social actors in decision-making processes especially direct overview
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