Print Page Text Size:Reduce size Increase size

Everyday Objects Transformed
by The Conflict


image

WHAT?

‘Everyday Objects Transformed by the Conflict’ will be a multiple perspective exhibition on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. Each of the 79 private and public collections who took part in the Artefacts Audit (2008) have been invited to lend one artefact that responds to the overall theme and to write a label to accompany their object. Collectors have been responding to the theme by suggesting various types of objects for the exhibition such as a bin lid used primarily by women as a street communication tool and as a means of protest, a coffee jar explosive, a quilt produced to communicate peace and healing, as well as a platform shoe used to smuggle items into prison. Other collectors have expressed interest in stretching the definition and challenging the visitors to the exhibition to think about conflict related objects transformed into everyday objects such as a security search device and a plastic bullet.


WHY?

It is hoped that the proposed exhibition will stimulate an interest in the original collections lending the objects, inform the debate on a Living Memorial Museum and dealing with the past, and also create a network of communication between the collections. Discussions about the challenges involved in staging a shared exhibition and how best to develop a process that would allow such an event to take place are currently taking place by members of the museum sub – committee and the collectors themselves. This process is as important as the exhibition itself. It is hoped that once the exhibition is displayed in various locations around Northern Ireland and beyond it will act as a catalyst to help open up a platform in which diverse voices and experiences of the conflict can be heard by all members of the public.


WHEN?

The exhibition will be launched with an ‘Everyday Objects Transformed by the Conflict’ mini preview exhibition 14-24 November at Healing Through Remembering. The exhibition opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and on Wednesday from 10:00am - 6:00pm.


This preview exhibition presents diverse narratives and objects on the conflict, and is a chance for visitors to provide input into the 2012 Spring -Summer travelling exhibition in terms of content, interpretation, design, and interactive elements as well as suggesting suitable venues for the ‘Everyday Objects Transformed by the Conflict’ exhibition.


The exhibition does not aim to agree on one single version of history but instead lets people from various backgrounds speak for themselves. Objects such as a bin lid used as a street communication tool and means of protest in nationalist areas, a bullet proof clipboard used by the security forces, as well as prison communication written on toilet paper are examples of some of the objects suggested so far. Other collections have expressed interest in stretching the definition and challenging visitors to the exhibition to think about conflict related objects transformed into everyday objects such as security search devices and plastic bullets. The stories behind these objects not only offer a glimpse into the everyday lives and memories of individuals, communities and organisations, they also help visitors explore the nature, causes and effects of conflict.


WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE?

If you have ideas about which locations and venues around Northern Ireland this exhibition should be displayed or have a story about an everyday object transformed by the conflict which you own please contact:


Exhibition Curator/ Co-ordinator: Tríona White Hamilton

exhibition@healingthroughremembering.org

Tel: 02890 238844