Blog Post 5: Hidden Histories
The group all wanted to find a way to leave a lasting impression on the Anatomical Museum. To do this, we created Face to Face: Hidden Histories. Hidden Histories is a non-traditional museum exhibition that involves a roller banner and two “stops” in the museum where we have created alternate labels.
The roller banner was designed by me, using the promotional materials color scheme. It is the first point of the tour. It has a short overview of Face to Face and charcoal drawings done by Jude Joseph of the skull room. Below these is a timeline including some of the major points in the collection, including repatriation dates, the beginnings and ends of important collections, and the approximate date of the building of the skull room. All of these give guests a basic understanding of what the skull room is, who created it, and the ancestors in the collection. It was designed as a way for people to get a slightly more in-depth understanding of the collection without it being overwhelming.
The next stop on the Hidden Histories tour was written by Fiona. This stop focuses on issues of consent and the fetal remains in the collection. Drawing from her interest in Holocaust archaeology and history, she did a talk as part of the tour but also created a label for the museum.
The final stop was written by Jude. This stop looks at the phrenological casts and phrenology’s relationship with the skull collection. Due to Jude’s interest in phrenology, they chose to focus on its interested history in Edinburgh and in the collection. Similar to Fiona, Jude did a talk and created a label for the museum.
After speaking with Malcolm, he has agreed to leave these labels and the roller banner up in the museum for future guests to enjoy.
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