Efforts to Avoid Reinforcing Stereotypes in a Museum Exhibit
Posted by Devon Akmon | Filed under Museums, Work
As an ethnic museum representing a community that is often maligned and/or misrepresented by the media and popular culture, we are always cognizant of the potential pitfalls of accidentally reinforcing a stereotype while presenting exhibitions. Unfortunately, common misconceptions of Arabs and the Arab world focus on backwards and unfriendly people living in an inhospitable environment with a culture frozen in previous times (sheiks, deserts, camels, terrorists, etc.). The images and stereotypes that illustrate these ideas are continuously reinforced by films and other popular media and news outlets. Therefore, a large portion of our work seeks to counter these stereotypes and misconceptions. However, even the most seemingly apolitical topic can have subtle elements that reinforce stereotypes. Speaking to this, we constantly need to carefully examine the materials that we are presenting with a very critical eye.
To help illustrate my point, I’ll present you with a tangible example. We are currently in the process of developing a small exhibit on the history of coffee and its roots in the Arab world. Within the gallery, and above a display of coffee making artifacts, is a historical image of a Bedouin tribe making coffee in a tent.
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. LC-DIG-matpc-01315. Making coffee in Bedouin tent.
This seems like a rather benign image. It’s a historical photograph that shows what one might have seen at a coffee ceremony in the early 20th century. Within the image one will notice several coffee-related elements – mortar and pestle, grinder, etc. – that would have been used during this time period. So, what’s the problem?
As many historians know, it was very common during this era for photographers to capture images of “exotic cultures” and depict them as primitives or “others.” Perhaps one of the most well-known controversies surrounds Edward Curtis and his series of photographs, The North American Indian. Curtis is accused of portraying Native Americans in the popular notions and stereotypes of the times. Similar to this, numerous photographers traveled to the Middle East in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to capture images of Arabs. Renowned scholar Edward Said is most famous for describing and critiquing “Orientalism,” which he perceived as a constellation of false assumptions underlying Western attitudes toward the East. Images such as this can easily fall into the category of Orientalist art and photography, especially when considering the context in which these images were produced.
The American Colony was an independent, utopian, Christian sect formed by religious pilgrims who emigrated to Jerusalem from the United States and Sweden. They were responsible for creating this and several other photographs in historical Palestine. According to the Library of Congress, “These photographs captured the interest of the public and were greatly in demand.” As you can see, these images were both popular and a good source for much needed revenue to help improve the Colony’s living conditions in a foreign land. Arguably, the interest of the sitters was not a priority.
Similar to other ephemera, a greater understanding is constructed when viewed in the cultural context in which the object was produced. Unfortunately, this is not always an easy task. By exhibiting this image in a gallery that shows the history of coffee, we run the risk of potentially reinforcing an age-old stereotype about the Arab world. Speaking to this, our curatorial team has two strategical approaches it is exploring for addressing this issue. One approach is to make a game utilizing the artifacts in the exhibit and the photograph. A label next to the image asks visitors to locate within the gallery the objects that appear in the photo. In doing so, the curatorial team hopes to place the most amount of emphasis on the objects in the photograph. Second, the team is considering whether or not a second didactic label is necessary. This one might address the stereotype head on. While one approach seeks to distract attention, the second seeks to address the issue in a more transparent way.
We have not yet discussed how we might evaluate the success of these two approaches. Right now the curatorial team is working hard to put the finishing touches on the exhibition. I presume we will further delve into this in the coming week.
Thoughts? Reactions? Do you work in a museum? Have you had similar experiences? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
- Devon Akmon
How To Make Turkish (or Arabic) Coffee
Posted by Devon Akmon | Filed under Food, Work
My colleague Khaliph created a great short video on how to make Arabic coffee for the forthcoming exhibit, From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup, at the Arab American National Museum. This small exhibit opens to the public this Thursday, January 28, and runs through August 15, 2010. If you come to visit the exhibition, be sure to stop by Hashems Nuts and Coffee Gallery of Dearborn and to say hi to Wessam! He is our instructor for this lesson.
“Coffee culture” as we know it has come a long way from its origins in the Arab World. Many myths surround the discovery of this fascinating beverage, but it is coffee’s Arab cultural roots that have led to continuing social traditions, the global institution we know as the coffeehouse and even some of the greatest intellectual achievements in human history.
Take a break from the daily grind to drink it all in at the Arab American National Museum’s new exhibition From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup. It explores the effects of coffee on the history of the Arab World and consequently, the rest of the world. The exhibition runs January 28 – August 15, 2010 in the Lower Level Gallery. It’s free with Museum admission.
The public is invited to a free opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 28, 2010 in the AANM’s dramatic Community Courtyard, featuring complimentary Arabic coffee and sweets, sponsored by Hashems Nuts & Coffee Gallery of Dearborn.
Photographic Goals for 2010
Posted by Devon Akmon | Filed under Art & Design
Christina over at poor man’s hobby recently wrote a list of 30 Photographic Goals for 2010. I’ve decided to borrow a few of her goals and make them mine as well. Here goes:
- Don’t leave your camera.
- Shoot a photo a day.
- Compete!
- Create a photo book a month.
- Take a workshop.
I miss the days when I worked as a photojournalist. My camera was always glued to my side. Some of my favorite pictures were created at the most random, unexpected moments. Yes, it’s hard to carry around a camera at all times. However, my recent fascination with iPhoneography should make this a reasonable goal. Yes, it’s not the best camera and there are some serious limitations. However, it beats having no camera at all. I’m hoping to soon purchase a new DSLR camera (anyone want to buy a Canon EOS 1n SLR?!!). Once I acquire this I will have a more “professional” camera on hand as well.
I’ve already been doing this, albeit with an iPhone. Yes, if it is still not completely obvious, I am obsessed with iPhoneography. This daily goal is both a fun challenge and a nuisance. It’s hard to find time in our busy days to stop and force ourselves to be creative . However, it’s the challenge that makes this goal so damn fun. I look forward to watching this project further unfold over the coming months.
The title for this goal is a bit odd. However, I buy into the premise. Competition forces us to constantly improve. It also places our work up in a position for critique, which is good. Through the goal of competing, I am going to try to have my work placed in more exhibitions both online and in physical gallery spaces. I used to exhibit my photographic and printmaking work a lot. I’ve even been fortunate to win a few awards. I miss showing my work. I miss the challenge of the critique (something we all dreaded as art and photo students!). Time to grow some thicker skin.
OK, a photo book a month is a bit too costly given all of my other goals for 2010 (and let’s not forget travel!). However, to meet this goal I will create a short movie each month utilizing my photos for the day. I’ll share those movies here on my website. This is a great way to celebrate meeting goal 2 every month.
There are several workshops I’ve been wanting to take part in for years. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for a few of them given I am no longer a working photojournalist/professional photographer. At a minimum, I plan on taking at least one or two classes through our local community college. I’ve been using Photoshop for over 13 years and I still feel like a novice. I think it’s time to improve on my digital imaging as well.
Several of the other goals listed were excellent and worth pursuing, but these are the five that most interested me. In addition, I have an additional goal of creating several small portfolios over the next year. This includes a series on the roadside attractions along the historic Michigan Avenue from Detroit to Chicago.
Do you have any photo or other creative goals for 2010? If so, what are they?
- Devon Akmon
Tags: Art & Design
Coming Together to Teach Kids to Read in Detroit
Posted by Devon Akmon | Filed under Community Involvement
What do 3,639 people have in common? The answer is an interest in teaching the children of Detroit how to read. Back in December the Detroit Free Press, in partnership with Detroit Public Schools, made a call for citizens to volunteer 100,000 hours collectively to tutor reading in the DPS. The public has responded.
Yesterday marked the beginning of something powerful. Approximately 2,500 volunteers attended a rally and training at Detroit Renaissance High School for the newly established Detroit Reading Corps. So far 3,639 people have signed up to volunteer 434,187 hours of their time over five years to tutor prekindergarten students. The ultimate goal is to have every student reading at grade level or above by third grade, by 2015. It’s an audacious but achievable goal.
The three-hour rally and training was filled with excitement. It was great seeing such a diverse group of people come together for a common interest. It’s not something one sees often in our region. I can’t help but wonder if this bold endeavor will have several other positive effects on SE Michigan and beyond.
The rally was filled with inspiring speeches from Charles Pugh, Detroit City Council President; Yvette Bing, Detroit’s First Lady; and Robert Bobb, Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager. Several musical performances from school children got the larger crowd clapping and smiling.
The training was rather short, but sweet. Volunteers were given a series of tools including a handbook, session plans and other tools to meet the goals of each lesson.
At this point volunteers are waiting on the results of a background check and their placement at a particular school. Personally, I’m really looking forward to receiving my assignment and I hope to make a small impact on some child’s life.
Some facts about the program:
- Volunteers are being asked to tutor at least one hour a week in a school, working with a prekindergarten student.
- Volunteers will have to undergo a criminal background check, which will be conducted at no charge to volunteers.
- Volunteers will be required to show a photo identification card, which will be provided by DPS, whenever they come to a school site.
- Volunteers are asked to commit at least one year; however, all are encouraged to continue to work with their designated children through subsequent grades.
Volunteer with the Detroit Reading Corps.
Read more at the Detroit Free Press.
Robert Bobb addresses volunteers at the Detroit Reading Corps rally.
- Devon Akmon
Tags: Community Involvement
A Short History of Social Media at the AANM
Posted by Devon Akmon | Filed under Technology, Work
I was recently asked by the fine folks at Museum Identity to write a short (300 word) piece on how the Arab American National Museum uses social media. My write-up will be included in a forthcoming article on the ways that social media is being used by museums. Here is what I submitted for inclusion. I’ll provide an update later when the article is published. I’m looking forward to learning more about social media usage from other museums around the world.
Similar to other institutions, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) began using social media in a rather piecemeal fashion. The community-based museum opened to the public in May 2005 and, with a relatively young staff, immediately began finding ways to incorporate social media into its outreach strategies. The nature of social media lends itself well to an institution so rooted in its community. Usually, a staff member would propose using a particular social media platform, present to staff on how it could benefit the institution, and adopt the day-to-day management and oversight of it.
In September 2009, the AANM hired its first Social Media Marketing Coordinator. Shortly thereafter, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan (CFSEM) launched its inaugural Challenge—Arts and Culture, which sought to help raise much needed funds for the 75 cultural arts organizations that make up the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan. Recognizing the importance of individual giving via the Internet, the CFSEM online Challenge required institutions to use social media as a primary tool for raising funds. The Challenge lasted approximately 12 hours, and the AANM placed fourth among all institutions, raising over $300,000 in unrestricted funds (see our Challenge video here).
Currently, the Social Media Marketing Coordinator manages the oversight of all social media tools at the AANM. At this time, the Coordinator is developing a social media strategy for the Museum. In addition, the Coordinator works within the Marketing and Communication Department to produce online messages while also monitoring conversations relevant to the AANM.
The AANM is currently utilizing several social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Delicious, blogs and iTunes U. Further, the AANM is developing other social media tools for collecting community history and building community (e.g Wikis). Lastly, social media tools are now being used within exhibits to enhance visitor participation.
- Devon Akmon
Tags: Technology, Work
