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- Owman, Caroline, 1966-
(author)
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det meränmänskliga museet : Konservatorns bevarandepraktik som flyktlinje i modernitetens museum
- 2021
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis takes the conservator as a starting point to explore more-than-human aspects of the museum of modernity. Assuming that built-in obstacles impinge when museums today deal with environmental issues‚ it investigates new and alternative perspectives on the engagement with our immediate surroundings, in this case the museum objects. The objective of this study is to map museum processes hidden in the anthropocentric museum of modernity. The aim is to broaden the perspective on the museum to include what the museum structures of modernity have pushed aside: ongoing processes and becomings, and the myriad of energetic more-than-human agencies and temporalities constantly at work in a museum.The main empirical material consists of interviewes with conservators working in different departements and museums in Sweden. This material also includes my own experiences of working as a conservator and as an exhibition producer in various museums. There is a particular focus on the care of objects performed by conservators. The material also includes Swedish Government Official Reports (SOU) and one central text from the Ministry Publications Series (Ds). Furthermore, more-than-human agencies play an important role: enacted through the museum apparatus in shape of humidity and silverfish.Posthuman theory, environmental humanities and material feminism form the overarching theoretical framework as well as provide the analytical tools. Three main themes from these theoretical areas run throughout the entire thesis: anthropocentrism, more-than-human agency, dualistic thinking and dichotomies. All of which are applied to the empirical material. To conclude, museums have been part of modernity’s ambitions and ideals since they were established just over 100 years ago. This thesis shows how, in the structures of the museum, modernity’s ideas have persisted. Furthermore, these structures of thought appear and interfere, inter alia, in the conservator’s experiences of and thoughts about their work and professional identity. However, when working intimately with the museum objects more-than-human relational processes and other productive connections emerge, whereby the structures, derived from moderity’s thinking, are challenged in productive ways. This forms the line of flight that the title refers to; here perceived as a possibility for change, in a direction that could promote new ways for museums to tackle complex more-than-human issues, such as climate change and environmental matters.
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| 2. |
- Göransson, Michelle, 1976-
(author)
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Materlialiserade sexualiteter : om hur normer framträder, förhandlas och ges hållbarhet
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this dissertation is to analyse how conceptions of sexuality are interlinked with and formed through connections with different types of matter, and also to study what significance matter (that is, bodies, space and things) has in shaping and actuating norms, particularly heteronorms.The study is based on transcribed semi-structured interviews and go-along interviews with persons who deviate from the societal norm of man and the societal norm heterosexual. In addition, the material consists of signposts, spaces, architecture, legal documents and texts found on websites.The dissertation is mainly dedicated to the study of processes wherein bodies, things and space are linked together or separated. Bodies materialise as non-heterosexual (or heterosexual) in processes that entangle movements, spaces, things and language. Apart from analysing bodies as morphous, I also emphasise that the boundaries between bodies and things must be understood as transient. Things can integrate into bodies and limbs can turn into things. I also cast light on the fact that heteronorms are imprinted into matter such as the built environment. Boundaries are materialised, but LGBTQ- defined safe spaces are concurrently being formed. Such spaces tend to be transient in character. This stands in contrast to such things that tie into societal norms, which tend to survive the passing of time whether they be buildings, monuments or urban planning. Thus, norms are both created by and imprinted into matter. The memories, experiences and assumed needs of certain bodies and their ways of living together are given solidity. Spatially organised differences are, on the other hand, primarily accepted when packaged into events, temporary and clearly marked, which inadvertently highlight Sweden’s (imaginary) openness and diversity.
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