Non-Western Art in Western Collections

This course aims to discuss and bring light to some issues related to the presence of Non-Western art in Western collections. By focusing on traditional African art, it intends to problematize the implications of collecting and exhibiting objects that were not necessarily made to be seen by everyone in their original contexts. How do museums deal with issues like these? Is it possible to decolonize African art collections? What strategies could be created to approach African art works in a more meaningful way? The students will address these and other questions through theoretical discussions and the development of an individual project involving a museum database.

Instructor: J. Ribeiro de Silva Bevilacqua