Changing Perspectives • 2010-2011 • Gregg Museum of Art & Design
Changing Perspectives was an exhibition I curated to evoke viewer realizations of the cultural differences that can be identified within an item, a design, or a work of art can both transcend time and space and distort our own constructs of socially accepted norms. Both historical objects from the museum’s permanent collection and current day items that were purchased by myself were on view to show how acceptance of norms change over time. The exhibition asked the viewer to question those in power who built the constructs, and also to look at their own preconceived notions of certain ideas.
Below are images of the exhibit, questions that were posed to the viewer, and text that accompanied select objects.
All but two objects within this exhibit were from the Permanent Collection of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
How do our perception of objects and information change throughout history? How can we learn from history?
In a world full of stereotypes and differing perspectives on life, society has often perpetuated negative ideas based on what the majority deems to be wrong, immoral, or just different. Objects in this exhibit may be interpreted in a variety of ways, and they reveal how perspectives can be interpreted and altered. You are invited to consider how someone with a background similar to your own might view these and how someone of a different background might view them.
Do the depictions within, the uses of, or the stereotypes surrounding these objects support a diverse society, or do they perpetuate attitudes opposed to diversity? How might these items be harmful in and of themselves? If you were a different gender, race, ethnicity, social class, or sexual orientation would you respond any differently? How can we as a society change or alter current perspectives on gender identity and sexual expression?