Khalil Rabah's Palestinian Museum of Natural History and Humankind as Archaeological Site at Fondazione Merz
Khalil Rabah, born in Jerusalem in 1961, has introduced a fresh version of his ongoing initiative, the Palestinian Museum of Natural History and Humankind (PMNHH), at the Fondazione Merz in Turin. This iteration uniquely presents the PMNHH as an archaeological site, allowing visitors to engage with a historical narrative crafted from evidence and clues. By redefining the conventional function of museums, Rabah utilizes art to reinterpret and amend history. His diverse practice, which includes painting, sculpture, and installation, challenges societal perceptions and display methods. His works delve into themes of identity, memory, and change, while critically addressing museology and ethnography, transforming nomadic lifestyles into significant elements that question museums' roles concerning cultural identities.
Key facts
- Khalil Rabah was born in Jerusalem in 1961.
- The project is titled the Palestinian Museum of Natural History and Humankind (PMNHH).
- The exhibition is held at Fondazione Merz in Turin.
- This is the first time the PMNHH is presented as an archaeological site.
- Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a historical narrative restored through evidence and clues.
- Rabah challenges the role of the museum as a mere container.
- The artist focuses on art as a tool for interpreting and correcting history.
- Rabah's practice includes painting, sculpture, and installation.
- The works address themes of change, memory, and identity.
- The project questions concepts such as museology and ethnography.
Entities
Artists
- Khalil Rabah
Institutions
- Fondazione Merz
- Palestinian Museum of Natural History and Humankind
Locations
- Jerusalem
- Turin
- Italy