Colonialism in things

"When is a work of art colonial?" The Museum Fünf Kontinente (Museum Five Continents) is addressing this and other questions with the special exhibition "Colonialism in Things" in order to come to terms with its own colonial past and its present.

On display are unique historical artefacts from Africa, Asia and Oceania that came to Munich during the colonial era and are now often regarded as masterpieces. Divided into three historical stages, the exhibition documents how these objects were looted, bought, exchanged or accepted as gifts in the course of colonial expansion. The focus is on appropriations that took place during German colonial rule (1884-1918).
Historical references are complemented by current contributions from researchers from Cameroon and Tanzania as well as a lyrical intervention. Together, they open up different perspectives on an era characterised by violence, the effects of which can still be felt today.

In terms of content, the exhibition is divided into three historical stages. It begins with early colonial appropriations in the mid-19th century, before Germany itself became a colonial power. Personalities such as the Munich-based Schlagintweit brothers, the missionary Xaveria Berger and the pharmacist Heinrich Rothdauscher and the collections they amassed are presented as examples. The second part of the exhibition centres on the period of German colonial rule from 1884 to 1918, while the third part shows a museum in transition that strives to deal responsibly with its history and its collections.

In addition, "Colonialism in Things" traces the development of the Museum Fünf Kontinente (Museum Five Continents), which became an institution of German colonialism in the decades around 1900. Historical photographs and documents impressively convey how objects were used in the colonial-era museum context to underpin racist ideologies and legitimise colonialism. The artefacts once exhibited as trophies of colonial conquest refer to the museum's regional connections in Bavaria and convey colonial ideas of masculinity. For example, objects such as the dagger of Abushiri ibn Salim al-Harthi (captured during the conquest of the coast of East Africa) were exhibited as evidence of Bavarian colonial heroism.

Last edited on 25.09.2024