Berlin Conference Debates Global Museum Concept Through Postcolonial and Pedagogical Lenses

On December 2-3, 2016, the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum of Modern Art in Berlin held a conference titled The Idea of the Global Museum, organized by Staatliche Museen zu Berlin as part of its Global Resonances initiative. The gathering explored various museum practices within global frameworks, examining influences from postcolonial art history and geopolitical studies. Notable speakers included Luis Camnitzer, who suggested viewing the museum as a teaching institution, and Patrick Flores, who supported the notion of a postcolonial university museum. Natalia Mjaluf focused on transnational narratives, while Zdenka Badovinac introduced a concept for sustainable museums. Nora Razian discussed climate change impacts at Beirut's Sursock Museum, and Jelle Bouwhuis showcased collaborative efforts at the Stedelijk Museum, highlighting the museum's significance in counterknowledge and translocal connections.