New Futures for Old Collections - Contemporary Collecting and Community Involvement at the National Museum of Denmark

摘要

In recognition of altered global relations since colonial times, the EthnographicCollections at the National Museum of Denmark have identified a need to redefinetheir role in society. The Ethnographic Collections explore new ways of activatingold collections – ways, which include contemporary collecting, co-curation anddialogue with the communities from where the collections derive. Through threerecent projects, this paper revolves around questions such as: How can wemake associations between the old collections and contemporary society? Howdo we prioritize, when collecting the contemporary? And how do we ensure thatcommunity involvement not only challenges the authority of museums, but alsoinforms museological practices in new and constructive ways?