#005 CASE STUDY
TITLE : rewriting slavery
This post is a short reflection on the recent collaboration between National Gallery X & THE ADV_.
NGX is a space for collaboration and experimentation. Working in partnership with King's College London, their joint mission is to create the sorts of new museum experiences technology could make possible in ten years' time. The challenge for NGX is to create these experiences today leading with two questions :
> What is the museum of the future?
> How might technology change and improve your experience?
—
+ THE INVITATION
On 10 May 2024 we come together and start our celebration of the National Gallery’s Bicentenary - 200 years of bringing people and paintings together.
For the entire year, we'll celebrate our past and look forward to our future with a year-long festival of art, creativity and imagination which sets the tone for our third century.
To embark on a journey revealing unknown connections between colonial commerce, enslaved labour, and the production/consumption of art.
—
+ THE CHALLENGE
Building on The National Gallery’s radical decision to move away from a chronological curation of their collection to now provoke “surprising artistic conversations” by mixing eras. (link below)
This calls for strategies of resilience while maintaining a progressive mindset in the midst of a new wave of inquisition without slowing momentum to become truly representative of the full diversity of the UK.
—
+ THE OBJECTIVE
Assuming the role of change-making establishment THE ADV_ was invited to provide a space for strategic empathy for The National Gallery to research, design & build approaches to manage the legacies of slavery in European art as they strive to be embraced and welcoming to all.
—
+ prescribed scenarios & why
Ushering The National Gallery into its bicentenary requires; acknowledgement, acceptance and accountability as a former royal but now a national institution. Our recommended scenarios to support the notion of ownership to all British citizens begins with perception, and legacy concluding with examining traditional customs.
> [ Ref.erence ] — Cultural Ideals / National Legacies / Questionable Truths
> [ Vantage Point ] — Immigration / Social & Cultural Integration / National Identity
> [ Irrational ] — Customs & Practices / Cultural Copyright / Inclusion
—
+ OUR FINDINGS
> The evaluation of legacy relationships & funds.
> A conflict of patronage; tourists, members and the new demographic.
> Accessibility vs New Technology vs New Narratives
We are committed to pushing the dialogue forward to understand how legacy institutions across the United Kingdom integrate with communities of colour but more importantly how diverse communities can view institutions including; galleries, museums and archives with a dark past or links to questionable funds can feel a sense of ownership and comfort in their buildings.
—
+ Read more
LINK : The National Gallery “Rehang”
LINK : National Gallery Bicentenary
LINK : National Gallery X (NGX)
For press, sponsorships or media enquiries email us at hello@the-adv.com
