Między poznaniem rozumowym a doświadczeniem afektywnym. Eksponowanie szczątków ludzkich w przestrzeni muzealnej
Between Rational Cognition and Emotional Experience. Exhibiting Human Remains in a Museum Space

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on defining the dead human body in a museum, in a situation, where the process of dying is transformed from a communal event to a private experience, while, on the other hand, the media constantly confront viewers with unnatural and brutal death. Since their very beginnings, museums have collected and exposed posthumous remains. By being put on display, a dead body or its fragments is/are ascribed the status of a museum object. Such exhibitory practices bring about ethical questions: whether, and if so, then where, when, and in what manner, the death of a human being may be displayed to a wide audience. Numerous museums are aware of the ongoing debate on the ethical issues concerning exhibiting human remains. When designing exhibitions, museums are faced with the dilemma how to present a dead body or its fragments. Should it be to a larger extent put within the context of a scientific description or an aesthetic view? At the same time, how to express respect and reflect their forgotten or/and overlooked humanity? The article presents examples of actions undertaken by museum institutions in order to organize the exhibitory space in such a way as to stimulate the visitors’ imagination and stir their emotions, while at the same time preventing the exhibition become a mere entertainment.

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