Melting Exotic
Social Issues - Abstract - Exhibition - Photography
Part of a University Final Major Project
A conceptual exhibit which challenges the term ‘exotic’ and explores the act of museumification of ethnic, cultural objects.
The concept
To execute the idea of exotification being a result of a change of environment, household cultural objects have been archived through ice and exhibited into a new, less customary environment.
The change of environment results in them becoming lifeless, ornamental pieces which show no recollection of their day to day use or cultural practice, similarly to a museum exhibit. They are merely a means to show the culture but not practice it, linking to how the term ‘exotic’ solely surrounds exterior appearance.
Ice is the method of archiving as it is temporary. As it slowly melts, the exhibit will come to an end and the object will return to being a less enticing, cultural household item.
Methodology
After the realisation that you are deemed exotic based on your environment I used myself and my environment to understand which items and features of my life and culture that are normal to me, could be deemed as exotic if the environment was to change.
I then captured these same objects out of their environment into a new one which resembled the act of museumification. This resulted in them becoming lifeless ornaments only to be seen at surface level - similar to the process of exotification that takes place in institutions such as encyclopaedic museums.
The Proposal
A proposal for the exhibition ‘Melting Exotic’ was designed and formulated through an animated render as well as a short video demonstrating how the exhibition would operate.
The Show
As part of the University’s Final Year Grad Show, I was able to recreate the proposal of the ‘Melting Exotic’ exhibit within a week, as well as a limited budget, materials and space.
Time-lapse used within the final exhibit