RT Journal Article
T1 Curating Ocean Ecology at the Natural History Museum: Miranda Lowe and Richard Sabin in conversation with Pandora Syperek and Sarah Wade
A1 Pandora Syperek
A1 Sarah Wade
A1 Miranda Lowe
A1 Richard Sabin
YR 2020
VO 
IS Spring 2020
K1 anthropomorphism
K1 art and science
K1 authenticity
K1 biodiversity
K1 Blaschka
K1 coral
K1 coral reefs
K1 Curating
K1 decolonisation
K1 dinosaurs
K1 ecology
K1 exhibitions
K1 extinction
K1 illegal wildlife trade
K1 museology
K1 Museum Detox
K1 natural history
K1 Natural History Museum
K1 naturecultures
K1 ocean ecology
K1 whales
AB The current ecological crisis and the call to decolonise museums can be catalysts for change, manifested both physically through exhibitions or redisplays of historical collections and conceptually through new curatorial approaches or interventions. This interview examines the strategies and considerations involved in a major redisplay at the Natural History Museum, London, in 2017. Here, ‘Dippy’ the Diplodocus was removed from the prime central hall location, causing a furore that soon gave way to celebration of its newly installed resident ‘Hope’ the blue whale, heralding a new paradigm of scientific display where an anthropogenic extinction narrative took centre stage in a world-renowned museum. Alongside the blue whale, a series of ‘Wonder Bays’ were installed which tell stories of evolution, biodiversity and sustainability. Curators Miranda Lowe and Richard Sabin discuss these recent displays in relation to extinction narratives, public ecological awareness, ideals of authenticity and the crossover of art and science. They reflect on how the politics of natural history display extend to broader global issues, including the illegal wildlife trade and decolonising the museum, focusing on presentations of marine life and ocean ecology to reflect their principal areas of expertise and the Natural History Museum’s recent ocean-themed programming.
PB The Science Museum Group
SN 2054-5770
LA eng
DO 10.15180/201314
UL https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/curating-ocean-ecology/
WT Science Museum Group Journal
OL 30