Thomas Paterson
Latest Reviews
Museum of Ethnography
Ethnography is a tough space right now, politically risky as it can be "othering" of remote cultures and groups. One should be careful when putting together an exhibition. And certainly, they were careful when putting together the content. Another exhibition on the Days of the Dead as though that's the primary culture of Mexico, after 2500 years of numerous kingdoms, phases, of a rich and diverse modern culture, etc. But still, Days of the Dead are visually spectacular and easy to enjoy. I do my own Days of the Dead parties from time to time.
Safe.
And I quite enjoyed the very brief, safe Mexico exhibition.
For the rest of the collection, nothing anywhere in the building about the universality of humanity, just lots of othering of foreigners, oddities of the non-white, non-normative cultures. Some nice Louis Poulsen hanging lamps to remind us that there is a safe, generic white Scandinavia just outside the doors.
Not safe is the menu in the kitchen. The themed Mexican foods are... not Mexican. They are the kind of "Mexican food" one can find in the ethnic aisles of ICA. I was there with four Mexicans and two Mexican permanent residents around the table, we were left wondering about the ethnography of Downey, California where Taco Bell comes from. Or Texas. But not Mexico. I assume not ethnography of Downey is forthcoming, one has to wonder why?
Our recommendation? Have someone who has visited Mexico handle the recipes in the cafe. Or just remove these dishes from the menu if you've never been to Mexico. It just reinforced the ignorance of this museum of ethnography.
Safe.
And I quite enjoyed the very brief, safe Mexico exhibition.
For the rest of the collection, nothing anywhere in the building about the universality of humanity, just lots of othering of foreigners, oddities of the non-white, non-normative cultures. Some nice Louis Poulsen hanging lamps to remind us that there is a safe, generic white Scandinavia just outside the doors.
Not safe is the menu in the kitchen. The themed Mexican foods are... not Mexican. They are the kind of "Mexican food" one can find in the ethnic aisles of ICA. I was there with four Mexicans and two Mexican permanent residents around the table, we were left wondering about the ethnography of Downey, California where Taco Bell comes from. Or Texas. But not Mexico. I assume not ethnography of Downey is forthcoming, one has to wonder why?
Our recommendation? Have someone who has visited Mexico handle the recipes in the cafe. Or just remove these dishes from the menu if you've never been to Mexico. It just reinforced the ignorance of this museum of ethnography.