Curating Ocean Ecology at the Natural History Museum: Miranda Lowe and Richard Sabin in conversation with Pandora Syperek and Sarah Wade

• Published in: Science Museum Group Journal
• Main Authors: Sarah Wade, Pandora Syperek, Miranda Lowe, Richard Sabin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Science Museum, London 2020
• Subjects: natural history museum; natural history; ecology; curating; exhibitions; ocean ecology; whales; coral; coral reefs; dinosaurs; extinction; authenticity; anthropomorphism; decolonisation; naturecultures; blaschka; biodiversity; museology; museum detox; illegal wildlife trade; art and science; museo; art; Lowe; Blue whale
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15180/201314; https://doaj.org/article/e8e737b4edb84ff99453c496b80900cd

The current ecological crisis and the call to decolonise museums can be catalysts for change, manifested both physically through exhibitions or redisplays of historical collections and conceptually through new curatorial approaches or interventions. This interview examines the strategies and considerations involved in a major redisplay at the Natural History Museum, London, in 2017. Here, ‘Dippy’ the Diplodocus was removed from the prime central hall location, causing a furore that soon gave way to celebration of its newly installed resident ‘Hope’ the blue whale, heralding a new paradigm of scientific display where an anthropogenic extinction narrative took centre stage in a world-renowned museum. Alongside the blue whale, a series of ‘Wonder Bays’ were installed which tell stories of evolution, biodiversity and sustainability. Curators Miranda Lowe and Richard Sabin discuss these recent displays in relation to extinction narratives, public ecological awareness, ideals of authenticity and the crossover of art and science. They reflect on how the politics of natural history display extend to broader global issues, including the illegal wildlife trade and decolonising the museum, focusing on presentations of marine life and ocean ecology to reflect their principal areas of expertise and the Natural History Museum’s recent ocean-themed programming.