Connectedness, consumption and climate change: the exhibition human nature

ABSTRACT

The exhibition Human Nature, produced by the National Museums of World Culture in Sweden, addresses the concepts of mass consumption, climate change and the human impact on nature. Covering themes such as connectedness, planetary boundaries; mass extinction; system change; living with things; sustainable practices; and emotional landscapes - the exhibition explicitly encourages awareness and action, while navigating on the spectrum from despair to hope. Each theme is developed in collaboration with a variety of partners and the result is an exhibition that combines objects from the museum collection with current research, contemporary art, and activist initiatives. This article unpacks the inspirations, accomplishments and challenges generated by the exhibition, with the aim of providing a case study on how to inspire visitors to take action and change their approach to consumption and climate change.

KEYWORDS:

• Museum exhibition
• climate change
• mass consumption
• connectedness
• hope

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Helen Arfvidsson has worked as a curator of global issues at the Museum of World Culture since 2018. She holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the Open University, UK. Her research interests span the fields of international relations, critical security studies, urban politics and more recently critical museum studies. She previously worked as a researcher at Mistra Urban Futures as well as a lecturer at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg; with urban development and human rights at the City Office of Gothenburg; and with labour unions on HIV/AIDS policy in South Africa.

Ann Follin is the Director General of the Swedish National Museums of World Culture and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in various senior positions in the cultural sector, mostly in the field of museums and exhibitions. She is passionately dedicated to leading and transforming institutions by involving the staff in formulating and implementing challenging visions. Follin was the Director of the National Museum of Science and Technology in Sweden (2008-2015), Director General of the Swedish Travelling Exhibitions (2002-2008) and the Deputy Director as well as Head of Exhibitions and Head of Information and Programme at the Museum of Work (1989-2000). She is vice chairman of the University of Gothenburg.

Notes

1 The National Museums of World Culture in Sweden consists of four museums, the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg, as well as Museum of Ethnography; Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities; and Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm.

2 For more information: http://humannatureskola.se/