Global Art Histories Pedagogy (GAHP): Research Method for Canonical Objects

TTTM Collaborators (Critical Race Museology Cluster): 
·       Alice Ming Wai JIM (Professor, Art History, Concordia University) 
·       Laura VIGO (Curator for the Arts of Asia, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)
TTTM Research Assistant: Varda NISAR, PhD Art History Student
 
Containing over 10,000 archaeological objects and works by artists from many different cultures, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ world art (non-European or American) collection is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Canada. In November 2019, the collection’s ten galleries constituting the Stéphan Crétier and Stéphany Maillery Wing were completely refurbished and unveiled to the public. The new permanent displays are devoted to the Arts of One World exhibition, an innovative intercultural and transhistorical presentation of ancient to contemporary art. 
 The GAHP research project interrogates the so-called “encyclopedic” museum in the 21st century with the aim to develop new methodologies for digitally mediated experiences produced by the museum, including collaborative design of mobile apps in response to selected canonical objects in the exhibition. The project considers how participating in this form of cultural mediation and community engagement as content producers is an integral, key method in global art histories pedagogy to address implicit biases and systemic issues early in the design of art historical research projects as well as increase visitor appreciation of diverse arts and culture. Issues such as feminism, Indigeneity, and queer identities through the lens of critical race museology from global, transnational, and transcultural perspectives will be considered.