Biodiversidade Musealizada: Formas que Comunicam

Abstract

In this thesis we discuss a natural history museum as a means of recording scientific and museum practices. Based on broad literature review, archives and technical visits, we propose a theoretical model of museographic pattern: forms of exportation of scientific objects related to design, type of collection, texts, lighting, audiovisual and multimedia resources and the role of the collection and the visitor in museological discourse, from the nineteenth century to the present.Although patterns have been developed in specific contexts, they may be contemporary, with different ways of exhibition being possible within the same institution and / or exhibition. It also found similar patterns in different museums, evidence or contact between institutions and circulation of knowledge, ideas and objects. Our theorical model were applied to five exhibitions of museums of natural history, contemporary, Lusophone (Brazil and Portugal) that addressed the biodiversity: "Conchas Corais e Borboletas"; "Biodiversidade: conhecer para preservar"; "Galeria da Biodiversidade"; "Reis da Europa Selvagem" e "Specere". We use the concept "biodiversity" as a temporal marker and a point of articulation among the exhibitions analyzed. We started the analysis from a Matrix that summarized in indicators the patterns and characteristics of the exhibitions. The curatorial team constitution was crucial among the issues that identify as determinants to the way and forms in exhibition (other issue identified: objective, type of institution, theme and collection).The lack of some scientific and museological practices, the invisibility of professionals and knowledge reaffirm the authority of the natural sciences and museums, that is researchers authority on visitors. We have found that even more recent than the conception of biodiversity are ways of exposing that allow to experience it. Since enabling biodiversity exhibitions also means interacting with the multiple perspectives of its crisis and allowing critical visitor positioning .