Recovering the Remnants – Acquiring the Remnants. Rethinking the Function of Museum Storage.

In the proposed talk, I explore the often-overlooked role of museum storage as a repository of objects excluded from exhibitions, which supplements the traditional museum narratives. Museum storage is viewed here as a collection of remnants—objects relegated to the margins of the cultural canon, with their exclusion shaped by institutional decisions that reflect the historical development of modern museums.

The talk begins by outlining the evolution of museums, focusing on how the construction of art exhibitions led to the necessity of transferring some objects to storage, often resulting in their significance being overlooked. The discussion then addresses the tension between museum acceptance and rejection, examining how museum remnants are defined by institutional decisions to include or exclude them.

Subsequently, I introduce the principles of "new museology," which advocates for a more inclusive approach, offering space to previously marginalized works. However, incorporating previously excluded art pieces may require the removal of previously displayed works from exhibitions. This shift opens up the potential for rethinking museum storage not as a mere holding area, but as a dynamic resource for reimagining the museum’s role.

In conclusion, I will argue that museum storage plays a crucial role in shaping new museum policies, allowing neglected objects to be rediscovered and reintegrated, while once-celebrated items may fade into obscurity. This process ultimately reshapes the museum's relationship with its collections and encourages a reevaluation of what is considered the canon.

The talk will primarily focus on art museums, particularly those in America and Europe. I will refer to the sociology of arts theory (e.g. S, Baumann, P. Boudieu, N. Henich) as well as concepts of sociology of remnants (e.g. J. Baudrillard, Z. Bauman) and sociology of things (e.g. A. Appadurai, F. Myers)