The Art of Diversification

Contemporary museums increasingly use of the term diversity as a means of self-presentation, often using it as a symbol to align with current morality and societal values. The use of the term is extensively debated by policymakers and politicians, yet these institutions seldom provide a definition of diversity within their museological context. Consequently, this thesis seeks to examine how ethnographic museums in the Netherlands define and implement diversity within their exhibition narratives. Museums have been subjected to extensive research in the realms of visitor-studies, identity construction and decolonisation processes. Despite research into institutional diversity, there remains a gap in understanding how diversity is defined within in the overarching narrative and public perception of museums. To address this gap, this thesis uses a threefold approach that analyses textual elements, displayed objects, and spatial elements in the the exhibitions ‘Colonialism and Rotterdam’ and ‘Out Colonial Inheritance’. Through this approach, the thesis aims to explore how ethnographic museum in the Netherlands utilise the notion of diversity within their exhibition narratives. Three sections have been chosen from each exhibition to illustrate how diversity influences the presentation of colonial history in both local and urban, as well as national contexts. This research adopts a structural and content-based approach, using empirical evidence that consists of interacting with the exhibition, photographing the elements and setting up visual plans for the layout. These methods provide new insights into the nuanced ways in which diversity is implemented. The study challenges the notion of labelling exhibitions with the term ‘diversity’ or proclaiming its value means its presence. The museum of Rotterdam centres its narrative on migration, utilising colonialism as the main driver for cultural diversity within the city. This approach highlights intercontinental migration, resulting in the fusion of foods, languages, and interpersonal interactions. Diversity shifts from a means to highlight uniqueness and differences among people to promoting unity and the acceptance of societal differences. Similarly, Amsterdam reflects these shifts but employs objects and spatial elements to convey them. Unlike Rotterdam’s chronological structure, Amsterdam adopts a thematic approach, allowing a more fluid integration of contemporary and historical aspects. Rotterdam’s chronological focus, while informative, limits the inclusion of more diverse examples. Both museums intertwine historical narratives with contemporary issues, advocating for decolonisation to address present-day issues. They emphasise the need to reevaluate historical memories. Furthermore, diversity presents itself in the need to reclaim and decolonise identities, evolving from a tool to highlighting uniqueness into becoming a unifying force in society.