What if…? A dialogue about contemporary art and science: questioning museum spaces today

Abstract

What if museums could be community spaces that elevate local stories, histories and futures? What if contemporary art could be used in museums to encourage the co-creation of knowledge through dialogue and experimentation while centering equity? What if there was a recognition that we all have knowledge to contribute, share and shape with while decentering the idea of ‘the expert’? This work will showcase the dialogue between two researchers interested on a new reality for museums and exhibition spaces, from the perspective of contemporary art and science. The above three stimulations will be explored through biomimicry, contemporary art and sustainability, as a frame to work with rural schools. We come from the premise that, in order to conceptualize equitable education, we must explore and implement reciprocity, collaboration and commitment, just as decolonial pedagogy has suggested. We believe these concepts offer alternative ideas as to what a museum can be; a space where the community holds the decision-making power in managing their cultural heritage and its place in history. Our work will demonstrate how community museums and contemporary arts can build spaces that offer more than exhibitions by representing local voices through co-creation. In doing so, we aim to provide the answers to the overarching provocation: What if museum spaces worked for a bigger social equity in their territories?