Literary Thursdays: Adam Kuper, Author of “The Museum of Other People”
Adult Program, General
Literary Thursdays: Adam Kuper, Author of “The Museum of Other People”
In “The Museum of Other People: From Colonial Acquisitions to Cosmopolitan Exhibitions,” Adam Kuper tells the story of how foreign and prehistoric peoples and cultures were represented in Western museums of anthropology. He reveals the politics and struggles of trying to build these museums in Germany, France, and England in the mid-19th century, and the dramatic encounters between the very colorful and eccentric collectors, curators, political figures, and high members of the church who founded them.
Despite the widespread popularity and cultural importance of these institutions, there also lies a murky legacy of imperialism, colonialism, and scientific racism in their creation. Kuper tackles difficult questions of repatriation and justice, and how best to ensure that the future of these museums is an ethical, appreciative one that promotes learning and cultural exchange.
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