MEG Geneva Reopens with Decolonial Restructuring
In November 2024, the Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (MEG) unveiled its revamped permanent collection, introducing two new visitor paths, an innovative prologue, and replacing one-third of its exhibits for conservation purposes. This overhaul seeks to realign the museum with the demands for restitution and the need for decolonization. The prologue exhibition, titled 'Encounters,' showcases six double video screens that encourage interaction between visitors and chosen artifacts. Curator Roberta Colombo shares narratives from twelve individuals representing source communities. Featured artists include Deneth Piumaski Veda Arachchige and Kanyana Mutombo, focusing on the significance of photography in anthropology. The 'Dialogues' route highlights missing objects, with a new prologue set to replace 'Encounters' in August 2026 and further reorganization planned for 2028.
Key facts
- MEG reopened in November 2024.
- Two new visitor routes and a prologue exhibition introduced.
- One-third of permanent collection replaced for conservation.
- Prologue exhibition 'Encounters' features six double video screens.
- Twelve individuals from source communities selected objects.
- Curator Roberta Colombo is an anthropologist.
- Artists include Deneth Piumaski Veda Arachchige, Kanyana Mutombo, Chuu Wai, Amel Merabet.
- New prologue exhibition planned for August 2026; general reorganization in 2028.
Entities
Artists
- Deneth Piumaski Veda Arachchige
- Kanyana Mutombo
- Chuu Wai
- Amel Merabet
Institutions
- Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (MEG)
- Artribune
Locations
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Suriname
- Burma
- Algeria