“Memory and Memoricide of Land” – Reimagining alternative model of Museums – How will museums sustain themselves in the future? 

Through an open call, 5 international Curators/ Researchers were chosen to participate in a remote research residency organized by Co.iki (Tokyo, Japan) supported by KOFICE as part of the Great Museum Project from the beginning of November to  mid December 2021. 

The purpose of the residency was to:

• Envision new forms of museums by dislocating the “Museum” and reclaiming the “Land” where it is located.
• Uncovering the relationship between “Land” and the “Museum” through people’s memory and memoricide.
• Collectively reimagine and recreate the museum structure by deconstructing / decolonizing it ?

Research methodology and output:

The research residency involved weekly meetups, discussions and exchange of ideas via zoom platform. As well as individual research pertaining to our chosen topics and curatorial/ artistic practice. The research output was a final online presentation of our research and a written final essay. 

Curatorial Research:

Beyond Restitution and Repatriation - Connecting Returned Artefacts to People and Land: A Case of Benin Bronze Artefacts.

Through my research and findings, I argue that beyond the current positive disposition of several countries to the return of Benin bronzes to their rightful people and land, there is an air of politics at play and the possible emergence of a new form of colonialism - Digital colonialism. And envision a future where museums act as activators, in activism and as an agitator for and with the public. Referencing British museums and the British Museum Act, I also examined the question of “To return or Not to return looted Benin artefacts?” Finally, in spite of the achievements made in the restitution and repatriation process of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, I emphasize the need to make museums of the future people and community centred.

‍