Venue: Museum Weltkulturen D5, Anna-Reiß-Saal

The event will be held in German and English. Free admission
No registration required

Kick-off event: Getting started, exchanging ideas, taking part

So far, not everyone in a diverse urban society feels adequately represented in museums and exhibitions – this is especially true for BIPoC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). With the collaborative project “We Are Mannheim, We Are Our Museum. Diversified Exhibitions at the rem”, the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen (rem), together with the Black Academy and other partners, are initiating a participatory process to broaden perspectives and further develop a section of the exhibition at the Museum Weltkulturen in a decolonial way.

The kick-off event is designed as a low-threshold, accessible format and is aimed at all interested people – especially individuals from diasporic communities, in particular from African countries, as well as BIPoC who have so far been underrepresented in museum work. Key goals are to make the process transparent, clarify questions, and spark interest in getting involved.

What is the project about?

At the center is a decolonial revision and reconceptualization of the so-called “Gabriel von Max Room” at the Museum Weltkulturen – specifically a showcase that has so far been perceived as an “Africa display case.” Building on cultural artifacts that come from colonial contexts, open intensive workshops will be used to jointly develop new narratives, educational/ mediation formats, and accompanying material. The aim is to critically examine colonial continuities, make diverse experiences (especially those of Black people) visible, and develop forms of presentation that deliberately depart from traditional exhibition concepts.

Program

After a welcome by rem Director Nelly Friedland, Nicole Amoussou and Mickael Houngbedji (Black Academy) and Jamie Dau (Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen) will introduce the project’s aims, framework, and content in an accessible way. A moderated discussion will then provide space for questions, experiences, and expectations regarding a decolonial museum in Mannheim. At topic tables with informational material, participants can also note down ideas, wishes, and questions and help decide which topics should be explored in greater depth in the following three intensive workshops. In addition, there will be a joint walk-through of the exhibition area in question at the Museum Weltkulturen.

The project “We Are Mannheim, We Are Our Museum. Diversified Exhibitions at the rem” is funded by the City of Mannheim as part of the federal program “Live Democracy!” (BMBFSFJ) and the Mannheim Alliance for Living Together in Diversity.