Still standing. On the use of dioramas and mannequins in Sámi exhibitions

Authors

  • Silje Opdahl Mathisen University of Oslo, Museum of Cultural History

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/nm.6334

Keywords:

dioramas, mannequins, taxidermy, representations of the Sámi, indigenous museums

Abstract

This article is about the use of dioramas in Sámi exhibitions. The author
discusses the use of a specific exhibition technique where a mannequin and a
taxidermied reindeer are grouped together, and often placed in an illusionary winter
landscape. She has named this the Lappish Equipage. This form of representation
has a long history both inside and outside museums, and it can be found in both
Sámi and ethnic Norwegian and Swedish museums. The author discusses how this
diorama works, and how its chequered past through appearances in various types
of exhibitions makes it problematic to use in contemporary museum exhibitions
about the Sámi. On the other hand, the author also points out that if the Lappish
Equipage is re-framed and re-contextualized, and its exhibition history is
consciously activated, the Lappish Equipage has a potential to work as a contact
point between Sámi history and visitors in the museums today.

Author Biography

Silje Opdahl Mathisen, University of Oslo, Museum of Cultural History

Department of Archeaology

Ph.D., Head engineer

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