"Re-presenting Japan": a methodological development project for visual repatriation projects.

Research Question
Can photo-video curatorial methods enhance the inclusivity and scope of representation for contemporary communities engaged in visual repatriation projects?
Objectives
This research will use the James Hornell collection in Japan at the Cambridge MAA as a case study:
To critically examine existing visual repatriation efforts by museums to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these projects.
To consult with local stakeholders to trial different photo-video exhibition approaches reflective of multiple, potentially (competing) forms of identity.
To understand the optimal role of the researcher/curator in facilitating outcomes for exhibitions resulting from visual repatriation methods.
To generate a 'best practice' model of doing visual repatriation that is translatable to other cultural/community contexts. Existing literature and the pilot project findings have highlighted the challenges pertaining to existing
visual repatriation methods; namely - limitations to the inclusivity and representativeness of exhibitions in reflecting the multiplicity of identities in contemporary communities. Therefore, this
project demands inclusivity and diversity in relation to stakeholder collaboration from the outset. As such, established relationships with people from communities of interest in relation to the Hornell
collection, will inform stakeholder consultation throughout all phases of research.