Universal histories and universal museums: a transnational comparison

Lead Research Organisation: Lancaster University
Department Name: History

Abstract

Since the late eighteenth century, alongside Enlightenment philosophy on human rights, western European scholars have conceptualised human universality in universal histories and universal museums. In its investigation of the evolution of museum collections, the 'Universal Histories and Universal Museums' project strongly connects with the third objective of both the 'The Past in the Present' and the 'Care for the Future' programmes: the mediation, and the cultural and social appropriation of the past, from transnational perspectives.

Looking at the history of museum collections is one of the ways in which we can examine how history is made, displayed and disseminated through the uses, legacies and representations of the past. Our research will highlight the constituent features of encyclopaedic knowledge about western universal human histories, from the nineteenth century to the present day. It will also examine the assumptions and limitations of such understanding. In particular, the project seeks to address questions regarding the representation of the diversity of cultures that define human universality, the articulation of historical and anthropological approaches to the description of humanity and the influence of social knowledge practices on the structuring of universal knowledge. The project also considers ways thinking about the past help us to prepare for a global future that incorporates more diverse universalities.

The first phase of the project will combine critical investigation through four workshops and two historical case studies, based in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Musée du quai Branly. The project's second phase will consolidate the first phase research in a small exhibition based on the two case studies, and a conference timed to align with the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi - a contemporary universal museum. Publications will include a book, articles in peer-reviewed journals and digitisation of key archival resources.
 
Description The research from the project advanced knowledge in five key areas: Temporalities; Visual, Textual and Material Cultures; Legacies; Transnational circulation of museum objects and knowledge; and the Post-colonial Critique of Imperialist Universalities, Histories and Museologies. Insights from all five areas enabled us to create a set of guidelines for future museum practice.

Temporalities
At a historical level, the project uncovered the ways in which nineteenth-century universal museums embodied multiple temporalities: offering both a chronological trajectory of universal history and advancement of human civilisation, while also projecting future imaginaries through exhibiting technological and scientific developments. Second, at a broader level, the museum itself emerged as a site for complex and non-liner temporal relationships through its processes of display and knowledge creation and participants explored the challenges and opportunities this unique multi-temporal site creates for increasing engagement with diverse publics in the twenty-first century. Finally, participants reflected upon the role of temporalities within interdisciplinary practice itself. Dialogues, connections, processes and interactions across time and space were debated as cornerstones of interdisciplinary research. Over the three areas, the past, present and future emerged as constructed, porous and fluid categories which exist in complex, non-linear and myriad relations to one another.

2. Visual, Material and Textual Cultures
In examining the creation of universal histories through universal museums, the project brought together textual, visual and material cultures in new and exciting ways. It investigated how elements often associated with 'textual' culture, such as the construction of historical narratives, are created, enacted and embedded within the organisation and display of visual culture and material artefacts.The exploration of the interrelations between verbal and visual in the representations of human universality helped illuminate disciplinary connections between ethnography, history, anthropology and aesthetics both in the nineteenth-century as they emerged within the universal museum, and in the twenty-first century as we reflected upon future directions of interdisciplinary practice and creations of diverse global perspectives.

3. Legacies
In teasing out the temporalities at play within the museum and the textual and material elements of universal histories, the question of legacy emerged as a key challenge for twenty-first century museum practitioners at various levels. How might curators renegotiate and remediate inherited historical narratives from previous generations? How do curators entangle the multiple enmeshed histories of travelling objects? Discussion of these complex questions generated suggestions for the future displays of objects which are incorporated into our 'Principles for Practice'.

4. Transnational Circulation and Exchange of Objects and Knowledge
Our archival research on creating object biographies and critical critique through workshops highlighted the significance of travelling objects, transnational dialogue and the growth of temporary exhibitions in three major areas: the creation of disciplinary fields in Europe; the creation of future imaginaries, with innovative products projecting the idea of technical and scientific advancement on national and transnational scales; the influence of transnational dialogue and knowledge exhcange in the creation of museums and heritage organisations by European cultural centres.

5. Post-colonial Critique of Imperialist Universalities, Histories and Museologies
One of the core aims of the project was to critique the universalities, museums practices and histories perpetuated by universal museums in the nineteenth century which were rooted in Euro-centric western values. Through workshops and the conference, participants examined the ongoing effect of nineteenth-century display practices and taxonomies in the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries from handling repatriation claims to reassessing the displays of permanent collections. Debate illustrated a clear connection between the encyclopaedic methodologies underpinning the organisation of objects and the way in which such objects were displayed. Participants sought to develop new approaches to collections management, exhibition display and museums practices to allow for an interpretive framework fit for the twenty-first century, and these suggestions are incorporated into our 'Principles for Practice'.
Exploitation Route Our findings may be taken forward in academic research through the building of cross-disciplinary methodologies relating to historiography, museology and material sciences, and human geography. With respect to wider public impact and engagement, our findings could be taken forward new forms of exhibition development, display and visitor programmes.

We have also established the following 'Principles for Practices' which offers suggestions for museum practitioners in the twenty-first century:

1. Foster inclusivity within 'universal' or 'encyclopaedic' collections by expanding the range of the collection itself and deconstructing traditional taxonomies, chronologies and cultural geographies.

2. Ensure careful and ethical research is undertaken into the provenance of objects within collections, and offer greater transparency to the public about their origins.

3. Change the enduring perception of the museum as an authoritative institution on knowledge. Museums in the twenty-first century are sites for mediation, exploration and questioning. This can be achieved partially through a reconsideration of display practices.

4. Present exhibition materials and a range of objects in such a way as to create multiple, diverse and competing perspectives about cultures, histories and stories from around the world. This might include highlighting relations between cultures and people, presenting open-ended multimedia scenes or sequences which inspire visitors to question worldviews and their own perspectives. This may also include demonstrating that an object may have multiple conflicting histories, rather than placing that object within a singular narrative.

5. Use plural perspectives to open up spaces for marginalised voices, histories and possible futures, and increase engagement with diverse publics.

6. Raise public awareness about the history of universal museums, and the type of worldviews and narratives of peoples, places and cultures they constructed at different historical moments.

7. Reflect upon the roles museums play in the production and dissemination of histories and knowledge through processes of categorisation, collections management and display.

8. Encourage dialogue between museums and heritage organisations, between heritage professionals, artists and researchers, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between the arts, humanities and sciences.
Sectors Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
URL http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/universalhistories/
 
Description As part of the research process, Kemp worked with Directors / Senior Curators / Designers at major museums including the Weltmuseum Vienna, the Musée de l'Homme Paris and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, discussing the conceptualisation and presentation of 'universal histories' through their collections. The discussions identified ways in which objects can be gateways to multiple universalities and explored how museums can re-configure their holdings in ways that will allow greater public involvement (the intellectual exchange took place in a series of workshops / conferences and via joint work on collections). Institutions have therefore benefitted from Kemp's research expertise in showing how questions relating to the (re)presentation of objects should be rooted in a sophisticated understanding of the complex relationship between past, present and future, along with a critical appreciation of how particular narratives and viewpoints are embedded in the way that galleries and displays are set out. Tim Boon, Head of Research and Public History at the Science Museum notes 'Kemp's project contributed to the strategic development of the London Science Museum's new 19th century galleries'. André Delpuech, Director of Musée de l'Homme, comments: 'Mid-way through the UHUM project I moved from being Head of Americas Collections at Musée du quai Branly to Director of Musée de l'Homme. Kemp's research has helped me rethink ways of reflecting the diverse cultures through artefacts and exhibitions and increasing the social agency of the museum and its cultural impact through increased visitor numbers.'
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Creative Economy,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural,Societal
 
Description Brantwood 
Organisation Brantwood
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Exhibition development, and planning for 'John Ruskin in the Age of Science' , a series of four exhibitions held in 2022, co-curated by The Ruskin, the Royal Society and Brantwood. These included: 'The Skies are for All: John Ruskin and Climate Change'; 'Ruskin's Perspectives: The Art of Abstraction'; 'John Ruskin and The Science of Sight' and 'Behind the Eyes: Ruskin and The Science of Sight'.
Collaborator Contribution As well as contributing exhibits to the exhibition, Brantwood hosted three of the four exhibitions: 'The Skies are for All: John Ruskin and Climate Change'; 'Ruskin's Perspectives: The Art of Abstraction'; 'and 'Behind the Eyes: Ruskin and The Science of Sight'.
Impact 4 x multidisciplinary exhibitions encompassing art, literature, cultural history, history of science and technology, history of meteorology and climate change, and mathematics. 2 x exhibition catalogues (978-1-9163872-8-7) (ISBN 978-1-9163872-7-0)
Start Year 2021
 
Description French Museums 
Organisation Museum of Man
Country France 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution New research findings and new public engagement activities.
Collaborator Contribution New archival resources and new research networks.
Impact All the outputs listed in the other sections were aided through this collaboration.
Start Year 2017
 
Description French Museums 
Organisation Science Museum Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution New research findings and new public engagement activities.
Collaborator Contribution New archival resources and new research networks.
Impact All the outputs listed in the other sections were aided through this collaboration.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Futures 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Interdisciplinary research expertise at the interface of design and science and technology, and curatorial research expertise with respect to use of historic collections to research trends in how innovation happens through design, ownership and use of material and the technologies used to exploit them.
Collaborator Contribution Research expertise in nanotechnology and project brief for MSc students at Imperial College London on 'hidden nano' in the V&A collections to act as a case study for a larger collaborative research project between the V&A and ICL on creativity and innovation.
Impact This multi-disciplinary collaboration will result in further research into creativity and innovation and opportunities for joint projects between museums and universities.
Start Year 2013
 
Description Guild of St George 
Organisation Ruskin's Guild of St George
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution This partnership centred around shared events, digitisation of archival material and the planning of The Ruskin, Lancaster to host the AGM (2020-2021) for the Guild of St. George, which has to be postponed due to the pandemic. Prof. Sandra Kemp presented to the Guild on the topic of conservation for The Ruskin's collection, specifically on the conservation of Ruskin's Lecture Diagrams. Planning for submission of a prospective research bid (Guild, The Ruskin, Brantwood) to AHRC for digitisation of significant items from each institution's collection.
Collaborator Contribution This partnership centred around shared events, digitisation of archival material and the planning of The Ruskin, Lancaster to host the AGM (2020-2021) for the Guild of St. George, which has to be postponed due to the pandemic. Prof. Sandra Kemp presented to the Guild on the topic of conservation for The Ruskin's collection, specifically on the conservation of Ruskin's Lecture Diagrams. Planning for submission of a prospective research bid (Guild, The Ruskin, Brantwood) to AHRC for digitisation of significant items from each institution's collection.
Impact Increased awareness of The Ruskin's archive holdings and its research profile. Strengthening links with other leading UK Ruskin-institutions for prospective future planning (bids).
Start Year 2021
 
Description National Library of Scotland 
Organisation National Library of Scotland
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Drawing on the collections of The Ruskin (Lancaster University) and the Murray Archive at the National Library of Scotland, this new collaboration is in the early planning stages, and is looking at the development Ruskin's intellectual networks during the nineteenth-century for research and exhibition development.
Collaborator Contribution The Murray Archive at the National Library of Scotland holds the papers and correspondence of the multi-generational Murray publishing firm, including correspondence with and from Ruskin and key intellectual figures in the c19. The NLS will be providing expertise on the Murray Archive for research and exhibition development.
Impact Project under development.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Scenario 
Organisation Sciences Po
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I initiated this collaboration as part of a funding application to follow the AHRC exploratory award funding. This application was short-listed as one of seven for the Large Grants Care for the Future scheme. As a result of the partnership in developing this project, I initiated a publication project with Dr Jenny Andersson at Science Po, to produce an interdisciplinary reader for Futures studies and the proposal is currently under consideration. We are currently in the process of preparing a revised application to the AHRC large grants scheme.
Collaborator Contribution FuturePol contributes specialist expertise in the field of future studies to this project and access to a research team at FuturePol funded by the ERC and part of wider international networks in these fields.
Impact See above
Start Year 2013
 
Description Soirees Project 
Organisation The Royal Society
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution I initiated this project as a result of the networks I developed as part of the Care for the Future award.
Collaborator Contribution The Royal Society will provide and digitise archival material and expertise.
Impact Not yet
Start Year 2014
 
Description The Royal Society 
Organisation The Royal Society
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Co-curation of two digital exhibitions over the summer of 2021: "Painting with Sunlight: Ruskin and Science" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KQXBaZmtAH6fLQ "The Royal Society Soirées: Highlights from the Summer Science Exhibition" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/8gUxFYZiFMOMJQ. Planning, development and co-curation of series 'John Ruskin in the Age of Science' with Brantwood. This included four in-person exhibitions, four digital exhibitions and two exhibition catalogues. Exhibition - The Skies are for All: Ruskin and Climate Change 22 April - 26 June 2022. Brantwood. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/the-skies-are-for-all-ruskin-and-climate-change/index.php Exhibition - Ruskin's Perspectives: The Art of Abstraction 30 June - 11 September 2022. Brantwood https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/ruskins-perspectives-the-art-of-abstraction/ Exhibition - John Ruskin and The Science of Sight 4th Oct - 9 December 2022, Royal Society https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/john-ruskin-and-the-science-of-sight/ Exhibition - Behind the Eyes: Ruskin and The Science of Sight - 27 Oct 2022- Spring 2023. Brantwood https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/john-ruskin-and-the-science-of-sight/ Exhibitions included selecting and providing items within The Ruskin's collections for display, research and writing of extensive, current and detailed exhibition texts, and drawing on Kemp's research into Victorian soirées and John Ruskin. With The Ruskin closed for major refurbishment, and to coincide with the opening of the third exhibition, the Royal Society hosted The Ruskin's Annual Mikimoto Lecture on 4th October 2022, given by expert Joan Winterkorn on the topic of 'Valuing John Ruskin' (https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni/events/2022-mikimoto-lecture-joan-winterkorn-valuing-john-ruskin).
Collaborator Contribution Co-curation of two digital exhibitions over the summer of 2021: "Painting with Sunlight: Ruskin and Science" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KQXBaZmtAH6fLQ "The Royal Society Soirées: Highlights from the Summer Science Exhibition" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/8gUxFYZiFMOMJQ. Planning, development and co-curation of series 'John Ruskin in the Age of Science' with Brantwood. This included four in-person exhibitions, four digital exhibitions and two exhibition catalogues. Exhibition - The Skies are for All: Ruskin and Climate Change 22 April - 26 June 2022. Brantwood. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/the-skies-are-for-all-ruskin-and-climate-change/index.php Exhibition - Ruskin's Perspectives: The Art of Abstraction 30 June - 11 September 2022. Brantwood https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/ruskins-perspectives-the-art-of-abstraction/ Exhibition - John Ruskin and The Science of Sight 4th Oct - 9 December 2022, Royal Society https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/john-ruskin-and-the-science-of-sight/ Exhibition - Behind the Eyes: Ruskin and The Science of Sight - 27 Oct 2022- Spring 2023. Brantwood https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/exhibitions/john-ruskin-and-the-science-of-sight/ Exhibitions included selecting and providing items within The Ruskin's collections for display, research and writing of extensive, current and detailed exhibition texts, and drawing on Kemp's research into Victorian soirées and John Ruskin. With The Ruskin closed for major refurbishment, and to coincide with the opening of the third exhibition, the Royal Society hosted The Ruskin's Annual Mikimoto Lecture on 4th October 2022, given by expert Joan Winterkorn on the topic of 'Valuing John Ruskin' (https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni/events/2022-mikimoto-lecture-joan-winterkorn-valuing-john-ruskin).
Impact 4 x multidisciplinary exhibitions encompassing art, literature, cultural history, history of science and technology, history of meteorology and climate change, and mathematics. 6 x digital exhibitions including: Digital Exhibition: Google 'The Skies are for all: Ruskin and climate change' https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-skies-are-for-all-the-royal-society/jwXBroXPzkm9lw?hl=en Digital Exhibition - Google 'The Art of Abstraction: Ruskin's perspectives' https://artsandculture.google.com/story/MAWhf3qBdhHGqw Digital Exhibition - Google 'Miniature Mountains: Ruskin and Geological Artistry' https://artsandculture.google.com/story/vAWRP0FvfZ75sw Digital Exhibition: Google 'Behind the eyes: Ruskin: The science of sight' https://artsandculture.google.com/story/behind-the-eyes-the-royal-society/jAVBeVesHJwLEg?hl=en 2 x exhibition catalogues for 'The Skies are for All: John Ruskin and Climate Change' (978-1-9163872-8-7) and 'Ruskin's Perspectives' (ISBN 978-1-9163872-7-0)
Start Year 2021
 
Description The Royal Society 
Organisation The Royal Society
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Co-curation of two digital exhibitions over the summer of 2021: "Painting with Sunlight: Ruskin and Science" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KQXBaZmtAH6fLQ "The Royal Society Soirées: Highlights from the Summer Science Exhibition" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/8gUxFYZiFMOMJQ This including selecting and providing items within The Ruskin's collections for display, research and writing of extensive, current and detailed exhibition texts, and drawing on Kemp's research into Victorian soirées. Further lectures and an exhibition is currently being planned for 2023.
Collaborator Contribution Co-curation of two digital exhibitions over the summer of 2021: "Painting with Sunlight: Ruskin and Science" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/KQXBaZmtAH6fLQ "The Royal Society Soirées: Highlights from the Summer Science Exhibition" https://artsandculture.google.com/story/8gUxFYZiFMOMJQ Selecting and providing items for display and research and writing of extensive, current and detailed exhibition texts. Further lectures and an exhibition is currently being planned for 2023.
Impact Increasing the reach and diversity of The Ruskin's audiences (public, research community on a wider global scale) and in turn, increasing engagement with The Ruskin's social media channels and website. Increased awareness of collections, research and activities at The Royal Society and The Ruskin.
Start Year 2021
 
Description University of Cambridge 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution 'The Ruskin-Darwin-Lyell Project' is a new partnership bringing together the collections of The Ruskin (Lancaster University), The University of Cambridge (Charles Darwin) and The University of Edinburgh (Charles Lyell) for research and exhibition development to explore the interconnections of science and visual arts across the nineteenth-century; the complex cross-currents between Ruskin, Lyell and Darwin and their thinking; and considering the development of, and presentation of, the three multidisciplinary collections.
Collaborator Contribution The University of Cambridge holds the largest collection of Darwin's correspondence and notebooks in the world, and will be bringing expertise on Darwin to the project for research and exhibition development.
Impact Project currently under development.
Start Year 2022
 
Description University of Edinburgh 
Organisation University of Edinburgh
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution 'The Ruskin-Darwin-Lyell Project' is a new partnership bringing together the collections of The Ruskin (Lancaster University), The University of Cambridge (Charles Darwin) and The University of Edinburgh (Charles Lyell) for research and exhibition development to explore the interconnections of science and visual arts across the nineteenth-century; the complex cross-currents between Ruskin, Lyell and Darwin and their thinking; and considering the development of, and presentation of, the three multidisciplinary collections.
Collaborator Contribution The University of Edinburgh holds the largest collection of Lyell material in the world, and will be bringing expertise on Lyell to the project for research and exhibition development.
Impact Project currently under development
Start Year 2023
 
Description 'Comparative Museologies: Case Studies from Asia' Academic & Heritage Professional Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The one-day event (27th Sept. 2017) was part of a series of workshops for the Universal Histories & Universal Museums' research project bringing together academics, museum directors and practitioners, and heritage professionals. The discussions led to a reconsideration of approaches to museum practices, including the organisation of a collection, the recovery of 'lost' objects and collections, and the preservation of neglected objects. They offered an opportunity for academics and heritage professionals from across the world to network and exchange knowledge on practices. The workshop fed into our overall key findings and 'Principles for Practice' and both the Head of Research at the Science Museum and the Director of the Musée de l'Homme reported that the series of workshops changed the way they presented objects in exhibitions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/universalhistories/events-2/workshop-comparative-museologies-case-studies-from...
 
Description 'Museum Universalities in Western Cultures Capitals in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century' Academic and Heritage Professional Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The one-day event (17th Nov. 2017) was part of a series of workshops for the Universal Histories & Universal Museums' research project bringing together academics, museum directors and practitioners, and heritage professionals. The discussions led to a reconsideration of approaches to museum practices, including the organisation of a collection and displaying objects in new ways to engage more diverse audiences. They offered an opportunity for academics and heritage professionals from across the world to network and exchange knowledge on practices. The workshop fed into our overall key findings and 'Principles for Practice' and both the Head of Research at the Science Museum and the Director of the Musée de l'Homme reported that the series of workshops changed the way they presented objects in exhibitions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/universalhistories/events-2/workshop-museum-universalities-in-western-cultural...
 
Description International Conference: ''Notions of Universality in Universal Museums' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The two-day International Conference was the culmination of the series of workshops for the 'Universal Histories & Universal Museums' research project bringing together academics, museum directors and practitioners, and heritage professionals. The discussions led to a reconsideration of approaches to museum practices, including new methods for displaying objects to engage diverse audiences. The conference offered an opportunity for academics and heritage professionals from across the world to network and exchange knowledge on practices. The workshop fed into our overall key findings and 'Principles for Practice'. Curators from the Weltmuseum, Vienna, the Head of Research at the Science Museum (London), the Director of the Musée de l'Homme and the Scientific Director at the Louvre Abu Dhabi all reported that the discussion from the workshops and conference changed the way they presented objects and their permanent collections to the public in exhibitions.

'Principles for Practice' (outlined in Key Findings).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/universalhistories/events-2/international-conference-notions-of-universality-i...
 
Description Organising workshop "A Model Archive" as part of the ERC Festival of Social Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A Model Archive is an exhibition, workshop and micro-commission exploring the relevance of the design archive today for different uses, and users, part of the ESRC 'Festival of Social Science' 2020.

The online workshop explored the role of the design archive in creative practice and everyday life, with writer, broadcaster and former director of The Design Museum, Deyan Sudjic OBE, artist and curator Jamie Holman, textile designer-maker Dalia James, Festival Director of the National Festival of Making, Lauren Zawadzki and Director of LICA at Lancaster University, Professor Judith Mottram, and explore artworks and objects from The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection and Atkinson Design Associates Archive.

This workshop increased awareness of archive design, and ways to incorporate creative practice within everyday life. It increased engagement with The Ruskin and its collections and activities, and enabled audiences to contribute to planning for future activities and the planned digital and on-site exhibition. (N.B. This project is still ongoing as it was impacted by the COVID pandemic).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/the-ruskin/news/a-model-archive
 
Description Organising workshop "Mountains of the Future" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This digital workshop, focusing on how we use mountains and imagine mountains of the future was part of the Being Human Festival 2020. It consisted of discussion with a
a curator, artist and ecologist, and explored artworks from The Ruskin and Alpine Club collections, and enabled participants to share experiences and ideas. The aim of the workshop was to enable the public to co-develop a new exhibition exploring the history, ecology, cultural value and future of mountain landscapes.

As well as increasing awareness of the Ruskin's Collection, activities and research, this workshop laid the foundations for developing a new exhibition. It links to our current research on "The Eye of the Mountain".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/english-literature-and-creative-writing/events/workshop-making-mountains...