METHOD Curating an exhibition

PRACTICE  |  POTENTIAL  |  WORKSHOPS  |  TOOLS  |  READING LIST

Transforming biographical material with a transnational history theme into an exhibition.

An exhibition visualises impressions on a project topic (here: Transnational History). By means of biographical interviews, personal stories about objects, quotations, etc., many different voices on a local but also transnational theme can be captured in an exhibition. Therefore, exhibitions have the prerequisites for addressing the broadest possible local and regional audience (or various other target groups). The biographical interviews conducted by the project partners on various topics were integrated into the exhibition by means of QR codes. In this way, the local theme, which dealt with the basic prerequisite of mobility – walking and the specific footwear of the region – was expand-ed to include further transnational aspects.

   

 

Helpful hints for planning and implementing an exhibition based on our experiences in the project

Below are points that are good to check before an exhibition production:

  • What is the main idea that argues for making this exhibition?
  • Which environmental factors influence the exhibition idea, (background, internal needs, and external interests)?
  • What is the exhibition’s purpose and connection to the vision and objectives of the exhibition?
  • In what way does the exhibition support the project’s set goals?
  • Why is this an exhibition? Is it the right media? Are there other alternative media for this exhibition? Can the exhibition be produced in a different form?
  • Make suggestions for objects or other material, internal or external that could be used in the exhibition. Gather all the documents/facts/materials you will need.
  • Which different target groups can the exhibition possibly reach and in what way do we arouse their interest?
  • What educational opportunities are there with the exhibition?
  • What risks, consequences and effects are there that are linked to the exhibition?
  • Monitor the world around which fact experts and/or inspirers and collaborators you can use for help.
  • Which venue is suitable for the exhibition?
  • Which exhibition period is suitable for the project?
  • Appoint a group to produce the exhibition.
  • What skills will be needed for the exhibition to be produced?

Potential of the method for transnational and multi-perspective approaches

An exhibition is strong in its three dimensional form as well as its potential to create an overview of intriguing and sometimes difficult/complex issues. But it has the potential to also create curiosity, emotions and concern. Participation can be empathized through pedagogical programs, but visiting an exhibition can – on its own – start discussions and have visitors to interact.

 

Realisation in Practice – The Exhibition Kome obojci kome opanci in the Transnational History Project

A museum exhibition is opened in the Museum of Konavale in Croatia May 2023. The exhibition visualises impressions on the project topic Transnational History. It is locally oriented and has requisites for addressing the broadest possible local and regional audience.

Embark on a guided tour of the exhibition Kome obojci kome opanci by museum director Antonia Rusković Radonić

Exhibition opening at the Native museum of onavala, May 4, 2023:

 

Downloads

Exhibition catalogue

 

Reading list

Anić, Vladimir. 2003. Veliki rječnik hrvatskoga jezika. Novi liber. Zagreb.

Balarin, Nike. 1898. Konavli: Ženidba (na Grudi). Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. JAZU. Zagreb.

Batina, Klementina. 2018. Aspekti ženskog autorstva u ranoj hrvatskoj etnologiji i folkloristici. Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. HAZU. Zagreb.

Belaj, Vitomir. 1998. Hod kroz godinu: mitska pozadina hrvatskih narodnih običaja i vjerovanja. Golden marketing. Zagreb.

Benc Bošković, Katica. 1971. Starinsko žensko ruho u Konavlima. HAZU. Zagreb.

Benc Bošković, Katica. 2006. Baltazar Baldo Bogišić. Sistematičar u prikupljanju etnografske građe. Etnološka istraživanja, 11. Zagreb.

Bogdan Bijelić, Paulina. 1901. Konavoski ženski rad i običaji. Nada, 21. Sarajevo.

Bogdan Bijelić, Paulina. 1917. Ženidba (Cavtat u Dalmaciji). Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. JAZU. Zagreb.

Bogdan Bijelić, Paulina. 1918. Koledar. Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. JAZU. Zagreb.

Bogdan Bijelić, Paulina. 1928. Grabež djevojaka (Konavli u Dalmaciji). Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. JAZU. Zagreb.

 Bogdan Bijelić, Paulina. 1929. Ženidba (Konavli u Dalmaciji). Zbornik za narodni život i običaje. JAZU. Zagreb.

Bogišić, Baltazar. 1867. Pravni običaji u Slovena. Štamparija Dragutina Albrechta. Zagreb.

Bogišić, Baltazar. 1874. Zbornik sadašnjih pravnih običaja u Južnih Slovena, knjiga prva. JAZU. Zagreb.

Bogišić, Mato. 1979. Konavoski narodni običaji i njihovo propadanje. Antena, 2. Zagreb.

Bošković Stulli, Maja. 1954. Narodne pjesme, običaji, priče i drugo iz Konavala. Digitalni repozitorij Instituta za etnologiju i folkloristiku.

Bošković Stulli, Maja. 1961. Folklorna građa iz Konavala 2. Digitalni repozitorij Instituta za etnologiju i folkloristiku.

Bošković Stulli, Maja. 1982. Konavosko usmeno pjesništvo. Konavoski zbornik 1. HAZU.

Bošković Stulli, Maja. 1984. Usmeno pjesništvo u obzorju književnosti. Nakladni zavod Matice hrvatske. Zagreb.

Delorko, Olinko. 1998. Narodne pjesme iz Konavala, konavoska folklorna i usmena baština. Časopis Dubrovnik, 1.

Demović, Miho. 1999. Glazbeni folklor Konavala. Konavle u prošlosti, sadašnjosti i budućnosti 2. Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik.

Ivancich Dunin, Elsie. 2013. Prošlost u sadašnjosti: Svadbe u Dubrovačkom primorju. Matica hrvatska – ogranak Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik.

Ivančan, Ivan. 1985. Narodni plesni običaji Južne Dalmacije. Narodna plesna kultura u Hrvata. Kulturno prosvjetni sabor Hrvatske. Zagreb.

Jacobson, Roman Osipovič; Bogatirjov, Pjotr Grigorjevič. 2010. Folklor kao naročit oblik stvaralaštva. Folkloristička čitanka. AGM, Institut za etnologiju i folkoristiku. Zagreb.

Janeković Römer, Zdenka. 2007. Filip de Diversis. Sabrana djela. Dom i svijet. Zagreb.

Kapetanić, Niko. 2008. Konavle na starim razglednicama 1898. – 1944. Općina Konavle. Cavtat.

Kapetanić, Niko. 2015. Od Carigrada do El Dorada Iseljavanje iz Konavala 1815. – 1941. Vlastita naklada. Dubrovnik.

Kapetanić, Niko; Vekarić, Nenad. 1999. Stanovništvo Konavala 1. Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU. Dubrovnik.

Kapetanić, Niko; Vekarić, Nenad. 2002. Konavoski rodovi 2. Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU Dubrovnik. Zagreb – Dubrovnik.

Kapetanić, Niko; Vekarić, Nenad. 2003. Konavoski rodovi 3. Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU Dubrovnik. Zagreb – Dubrovnik.

Katičić, Radoslav. 2010. Zeleni lug. Tragovima svetih pjesama naše pretkršćanske starine. Ibis grafika. Zagreb – Mošćenička Draga.

Ljubimir, Nike. 1999. Nedijeljena kuća u Konavlima. Konavle u prošlosti, sadašnjosti i budućnosti 2. Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik.

Skok, Petar. 1971. Etimologijski rječnik hrvatskog ili srpskog jezika. JAZU. Zagreb.

Vitez, Zorica. 2003. Hrvatski svadbeni običaji. Golden marketing i Tehnička knjiga. Zagreb.

Vodopić, Mato. 1893., pretisak 2009. Marija Konavoka. Fortuna. Zagreb.

Vukmanović, Jovan. 1980. Konavli: antropogeografska i etnografska ispitivanja. SANU. Beograd.