Transpositional Geologies. Koloniale Kontexte mineralogischer Sammlungen

In the organizer's words:

The beauty of many mineralogical collections is captivating. Whether azurite, malachite or fragrantite - the multi-colored iridescent, sparkling or bizarrely shaped collection objects fascinate experts and amateurs alike. But where do the minerals in the historical holdings of natural history collections in universities and museums come from? How and under what conditions were they mined locally and how did they end up in the collections? And what are the long-term consequences of the extractivist overexploitation of nature and humans, which often took place as a result of scientific expeditions?

Using the example of minerals from Tsumeb in Namibia - a country rich in minerals and mineral resources - the evening, which is part of the "Object Laboratory" series, is dedicated to the colonial histories hidden in mineralogical collections. And thus also questions of colonial suffering, sometimes questionable scientific research and ongoing environmental destruction.

The evening begins with a film by artist Sascha Mikloweit, which was created as part of his "Transpositional Geologies" project. For several years, he has been working with mineralogical collection objects from Tsumeb in Namibia - a place and mining district to which numerous research expeditions set out and which reflects the history of German colonialism from the late 19th and early 20th centuries to the present day. Afterwards, scientists and collection experts will discuss the colonial references of mineralogical collections and how to deal with them.

As part of the discussion series "OBJEKTLABOR. Collection Talks at the Coordination Office"

PROCEDURE

17:30: Welcome

17:45: Film "The Happy Banality of Everything"

6:30 pm: Panel discussion

20:00: Conclusion with drinks

- Price: free of charge

- from 14 years

- Language: German

- Venue: Humboldt Laboratory, 1st floor of the Humboldt Forum

- belongs to: After nature