My research interests and expertise are in the fields of museum and heritage studies. I am particularly interested in the construction of diasporic identities through heritage interpretation, material culture, collections and collecting theories, particularly in relation to colonial/post-colonial issues, in respect of contemporary society and its historical context.
Specialties Throughout my research, I have used a range of interdisciplinary research methods (focus groups, interviews, archival research), which have included engagement with diasporic community groups. Phone: 0044(0)1522 837182 Address: School of Architecture
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
LINCOLN LN6 7TS
In this book introduction, the authors consider the challenges and approaches that the volume wil... more In this book introduction, the authors consider the challenges and approaches that the volume will tackle
This chapter is concerned with the notions of and the relationship between intangible cultural he... more This chapter is concerned with the notions of and the relationship between intangible cultural heritage and cultural identity in relation to displaced individuals and in the context of contemporary Europe. The starting point is that people’s movements have at their heart the encounter between newcomers and local communities. These encounters translate into situated stories and new cultural discourses about resilience, which, in the longer term, are likely to contribute to the formation of a shared European heritage.1 However, amongst newcomers, and especially those who like refugees experience displacement, the idea of heritage is particularly problematic. In order to be part, eventually, of a body of shared cultural practices, the heritage of displaced individuals needs first to ‘die’ so that it can be revalued and re-articulated through an osmotic and yet aspirational process, generated by its perceived absence. Therefore, this chapter aims to consider exactly this, by addressing the following questions: can we speak, at all, of an absence of heritage during displacement? If heritage does (not) die, how is it then revalued and redefined during displacement? And what are the cultural discourses developing around the idea of ‘heritage’ during forced migration? In order to answer the above questions, the chapter has been organised into four sections. In the first section, I consider the notion of displacement, in relation to heritage as a non-fixed concept, subject to constant reinterpretations; in the second section, I explore the pairing “absence-presence” and I define it as a phased, emotional rupture with cultural traditions and heritage practices; the third section focuses on the “capacity to aspire”, as defined by Arjun Appadurai,2 and on the ways in which it triggers amongst displaced individuals, through a perceived absence of heritage, the aspiration to revaluate and re-articulate cultural traditions. In the final section, I present some critical reflections on ‘resilient heritage’, that is to say, those forms of intangible heritage that survive trauma, which is re-shaped through selective remembering3 and which foster a sense of cultural worth and belonging especially in the earlier stages of their resettlement
This short piece considers a collection assembled during colonial times in Yorubaland. The collec... more This short piece considers a collection assembled during colonial times in Yorubaland. The collection includes religious items stolen by a Babalawo shrine and raises the question about the ethics of non-Western collections in Western museums. The piece is part of the online project Gods Collections: https://www.godscollections.org
This exhibition was co-curated with members of the Yoruba diaspora in Nottingham: it displayed tr... more This exhibition was co-curated with members of the Yoruba diaspora in Nottingham: it displayed traditional religious objects from a collection kept at the Brewhouse Yard Museum
This paper addresses the visual discourses generated online, specifically on social media platfor... more This paper addresses the visual discourses generated online, specifically on social media platforms, about the current forced migrations. It examines the narratives generated through works of art presented on Syria.Art, a FB page which displays primarily the work of displaced Syrian artists. It argues that these visual discourses are focusing primarily on the initial memories of the displacement, and intangible heritage and its transmissions are prominent components of this process.
The relationship of history and memory is always rather problematic. This is due primarily to the... more The relationship of history and memory is always rather problematic. This is due primarily to the dissonance that may exist between an approved authoritative historic discourse and a more social, emotional and collective one. The contemporary meanings of (and the discourses attached to) historical sites and buildings are often depending on the new and different uses they have for their local communities, rather than by their acknowledged historical value. This paper will look at how iconic historical sites and buildings can be re-valued, rehabilitated and re-used for the educational and social benefits of local communities and how much the local communities effectively drive these processes of rehabilitation and reuse. Specifically we will be focusing on a set of historical sites and building in Salford, United Kingdom, that is to say: Ordsall Hall (a Tudor manor house, currently transformed into a museum); the Weaste Cemetery (Salford’s first municipal cemetery, dating back to the ...
This paper considers the ways in which the notions and definitions of heritage (both in its tangi... more This paper considers the ways in which the notions and definitions of heritage (both in its tangible and intangible form) are changing, due to the recent and on going forced migrations from Africa and the Middle East to Europe. The recent ‘Refugees crisis’ (brought to the national and international attention via the media) has highlighted not only the depth of a vast humanitarian crisis but also a complex socio-cultural phenomenon that, without any doubt, will have an impact on the way cultural heritage is defined, interpreted and used by local (both hosted and host) communities in Europe to forge new cultural and collective identities. The paper considers the changing notions and perception of heritage, through diasporic imagination and in the era of mass migration: the concept of ‘diasporic imagination’ will be used primarily to indicate the reinterpretation of the past (even a very recent one), on the basis of experienced memories of displacement. I will argue that the forced mig...
This paper addresses contemporary society’s attitude and engagement towards the heritage of force... more This paper addresses contemporary society’s attitude and engagement towards the heritage of forced migrants: it focuses on how the notion and materiality of heritage are changing due to the recent political changes and the on-going mass movements. Specifically, it addresses the following questions: what is the material culture of the current migration and refugee crisis? how is it interpreted and represented in open spaces and contexts which are not necessarily museums or physical cultural organizations? By considering communities of refugees in the North-West England and the relevant cultural organizations which of display diasporic heritage, I argue that the recent mass migrations will certainly have a further impact on the idea, understanding and re-definition of British and European cultural heritage, both in its tangible and intangible forms. These forms, in turn, will need a new cultural and civic recognition in heritage institutions.
This workshop anticipates the birth of a project. In a joint collaboration between MMU and Univer... more This workshop anticipates the birth of a project. In a joint collaboration between MMU and University of Lincoln, Who do we think we are? is a project which seeks to explore the very work of archiving. We will use materials from the Royle Collection, (Arthur Royle, Wythenshawe, Manchester). Arthur Royle was a pioneer recorder of Wythenshawe local history and heritage and amassed and created items of historical importance over 60 years which includes maps, letters, receipts, photographs, sketches, and prints. He also recorded local dialects and pronunciations. He was emblematic of public service and duty. The collection is, as yet, unarchived, and there is a unique opportunity to explore what an archive might do beyond the traditional modes of identifying and classifying. We aim to contribute to the co-design, and co-production methodologies and processes conference theme. Our workshop seeks to open up what it might mean to actively archive materials in and with those who come into r...
Flooding is a natural, major hazard. However, during the past decades we have witnessed some of t... more Flooding is a natural, major hazard. However, during the past decades we have witnessed some of the most severe types of flooding, which have had a really damaging impact on the local communities, natural landscape and cultural heritage. Because of the intensity and frequency of the latest flooding, especially in the United Kingdom, it is extremely important that communities learn how to limit their risks and damages, through appropriate prevention and response strategies. By addressing the broad question: ‘what is the relationship between climate change and heritage in the UK?’, this paper explores the (personal and cultural) effects that recent flooding has had on local heritage sites and communities in the United Kingdom. It considers the strategies implemented by local governments and communities to respond to this dangerous natural phenomenon. Specifically, the paper will focus on two main examples: it will look at the historic towns of York and Lancaster (two areas/towns regul...
This conference paper considered if and how more regular partnerships and collaborations between ... more This conference paper considered if and how more regular partnerships and collaborations between local cultural festivals and museums can help local diasporic communities to re-interpret and re-own their heritage.
Since 1890, every year in June, in the district of Ancoats in Manchester, UK, a religious process... more Since 1890, every year in June, in the district of Ancoats in Manchester, UK, a religious procession in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary takes place. For the past 150 years, the Italian community has been gathering in this area of Manchester (also known as ‘Little Italy’ due to the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s) to carry a statue of the Our Lady of the Rosary and the religious emblems of local catholic churches, across the city centre. The solemn procession - attended by the Mayor of Manchester, members of the regional Italian consulate, women in traditional Italian dresses and children in their First Communion dress- attracts hundreds of people, who come to watch the event and experience what is perceived as an authentic Italian celebration. This, indeed, is an important religious event for the Italian diasporic community in Manchester and for the city itself, which takes pride in being a multicultural and welcoming place. The procession, as a cultural/religious he...
This thesis is concerned with the interpretation and representation of nonWestern religious mater... more This thesis is concerned with the interpretation and representation of nonWestern religious material culture in Western museums. Specifically, it focuses on Yorübä traditional religious material culture exhibited nowadays in museums in the United Kingdom. The research aimed to investigate how members of the Yoruba diaspora, living in the United Kingdom, related to their traditional religious heritage, presented in museums. At the same time, the study intended to explore the perspective of museum professionals, involved with the displays exhibiting traditional Yoruba religious objects. The thesis counts of two main parts. The first part is concerned with the theoretical framework of the study. After presenting the main issues of the research and the existing literature review, it continues by clarifying the social function of symbols (particularly religious symbols) and by offering an historical excursus of museum displays exhibiting African material culture (from the 19th century un...
This short article focuses on two heritage sites (the International Bomber Command Centre and Cre... more This short article focuses on two heritage sites (the International Bomber Command Centre and Creswell Crags) and reflects on the ways in which such medium-size institutions are trying to find ways of maintaining offsite engagement with young audiences while at the same time generating revenues.
Shoes are the most accessible and necessary item of clothing. We all wear shoes to protect our fe... more Shoes are the most accessible and necessary item of clothing. We all wear shoes to protect our feet when walking or performing other activities: we all need shoes, we all want (new) shoes and since we were children, we all have been playing with our mum’s shoes. As objects of beauty, desire and play, shoes can make us feeling special and different, even if for a short while. Shoes, indeed, are fun: ‘they are the candy for the eyes, poetry for the feet’, says the cartoonist Mimi Pond. This exhibition presents the work of Kobi Levi (a skillful and pioneering footwear designer) and his playful world of shoes: it shows how anything (from a coffee pot to a trolley; from a chewing-gum to a banana) can be transformed into a stylish and funny pair of shoe that can people thinking about footwear in a different, playful way.
In this book introduction, the authors consider the challenges and approaches that the volume wil... more In this book introduction, the authors consider the challenges and approaches that the volume will tackle
This chapter is concerned with the notions of and the relationship between intangible cultural he... more This chapter is concerned with the notions of and the relationship between intangible cultural heritage and cultural identity in relation to displaced individuals and in the context of contemporary Europe. The starting point is that people’s movements have at their heart the encounter between newcomers and local communities. These encounters translate into situated stories and new cultural discourses about resilience, which, in the longer term, are likely to contribute to the formation of a shared European heritage.1 However, amongst newcomers, and especially those who like refugees experience displacement, the idea of heritage is particularly problematic. In order to be part, eventually, of a body of shared cultural practices, the heritage of displaced individuals needs first to ‘die’ so that it can be revalued and re-articulated through an osmotic and yet aspirational process, generated by its perceived absence. Therefore, this chapter aims to consider exactly this, by addressing the following questions: can we speak, at all, of an absence of heritage during displacement? If heritage does (not) die, how is it then revalued and redefined during displacement? And what are the cultural discourses developing around the idea of ‘heritage’ during forced migration? In order to answer the above questions, the chapter has been organised into four sections. In the first section, I consider the notion of displacement, in relation to heritage as a non-fixed concept, subject to constant reinterpretations; in the second section, I explore the pairing “absence-presence” and I define it as a phased, emotional rupture with cultural traditions and heritage practices; the third section focuses on the “capacity to aspire”, as defined by Arjun Appadurai,2 and on the ways in which it triggers amongst displaced individuals, through a perceived absence of heritage, the aspiration to revaluate and re-articulate cultural traditions. In the final section, I present some critical reflections on ‘resilient heritage’, that is to say, those forms of intangible heritage that survive trauma, which is re-shaped through selective remembering3 and which foster a sense of cultural worth and belonging especially in the earlier stages of their resettlement
This short piece considers a collection assembled during colonial times in Yorubaland. The collec... more This short piece considers a collection assembled during colonial times in Yorubaland. The collection includes religious items stolen by a Babalawo shrine and raises the question about the ethics of non-Western collections in Western museums. The piece is part of the online project Gods Collections: https://www.godscollections.org
This exhibition was co-curated with members of the Yoruba diaspora in Nottingham: it displayed tr... more This exhibition was co-curated with members of the Yoruba diaspora in Nottingham: it displayed traditional religious objects from a collection kept at the Brewhouse Yard Museum
This paper addresses the visual discourses generated online, specifically on social media platfor... more This paper addresses the visual discourses generated online, specifically on social media platforms, about the current forced migrations. It examines the narratives generated through works of art presented on Syria.Art, a FB page which displays primarily the work of displaced Syrian artists. It argues that these visual discourses are focusing primarily on the initial memories of the displacement, and intangible heritage and its transmissions are prominent components of this process.
The relationship of history and memory is always rather problematic. This is due primarily to the... more The relationship of history and memory is always rather problematic. This is due primarily to the dissonance that may exist between an approved authoritative historic discourse and a more social, emotional and collective one. The contemporary meanings of (and the discourses attached to) historical sites and buildings are often depending on the new and different uses they have for their local communities, rather than by their acknowledged historical value. This paper will look at how iconic historical sites and buildings can be re-valued, rehabilitated and re-used for the educational and social benefits of local communities and how much the local communities effectively drive these processes of rehabilitation and reuse. Specifically we will be focusing on a set of historical sites and building in Salford, United Kingdom, that is to say: Ordsall Hall (a Tudor manor house, currently transformed into a museum); the Weaste Cemetery (Salford’s first municipal cemetery, dating back to the ...
This paper considers the ways in which the notions and definitions of heritage (both in its tangi... more This paper considers the ways in which the notions and definitions of heritage (both in its tangible and intangible form) are changing, due to the recent and on going forced migrations from Africa and the Middle East to Europe. The recent ‘Refugees crisis’ (brought to the national and international attention via the media) has highlighted not only the depth of a vast humanitarian crisis but also a complex socio-cultural phenomenon that, without any doubt, will have an impact on the way cultural heritage is defined, interpreted and used by local (both hosted and host) communities in Europe to forge new cultural and collective identities. The paper considers the changing notions and perception of heritage, through diasporic imagination and in the era of mass migration: the concept of ‘diasporic imagination’ will be used primarily to indicate the reinterpretation of the past (even a very recent one), on the basis of experienced memories of displacement. I will argue that the forced mig...
This paper addresses contemporary society’s attitude and engagement towards the heritage of force... more This paper addresses contemporary society’s attitude and engagement towards the heritage of forced migrants: it focuses on how the notion and materiality of heritage are changing due to the recent political changes and the on-going mass movements. Specifically, it addresses the following questions: what is the material culture of the current migration and refugee crisis? how is it interpreted and represented in open spaces and contexts which are not necessarily museums or physical cultural organizations? By considering communities of refugees in the North-West England and the relevant cultural organizations which of display diasporic heritage, I argue that the recent mass migrations will certainly have a further impact on the idea, understanding and re-definition of British and European cultural heritage, both in its tangible and intangible forms. These forms, in turn, will need a new cultural and civic recognition in heritage institutions.
This workshop anticipates the birth of a project. In a joint collaboration between MMU and Univer... more This workshop anticipates the birth of a project. In a joint collaboration between MMU and University of Lincoln, Who do we think we are? is a project which seeks to explore the very work of archiving. We will use materials from the Royle Collection, (Arthur Royle, Wythenshawe, Manchester). Arthur Royle was a pioneer recorder of Wythenshawe local history and heritage and amassed and created items of historical importance over 60 years which includes maps, letters, receipts, photographs, sketches, and prints. He also recorded local dialects and pronunciations. He was emblematic of public service and duty. The collection is, as yet, unarchived, and there is a unique opportunity to explore what an archive might do beyond the traditional modes of identifying and classifying. We aim to contribute to the co-design, and co-production methodologies and processes conference theme. Our workshop seeks to open up what it might mean to actively archive materials in and with those who come into r...
Flooding is a natural, major hazard. However, during the past decades we have witnessed some of t... more Flooding is a natural, major hazard. However, during the past decades we have witnessed some of the most severe types of flooding, which have had a really damaging impact on the local communities, natural landscape and cultural heritage. Because of the intensity and frequency of the latest flooding, especially in the United Kingdom, it is extremely important that communities learn how to limit their risks and damages, through appropriate prevention and response strategies. By addressing the broad question: ‘what is the relationship between climate change and heritage in the UK?’, this paper explores the (personal and cultural) effects that recent flooding has had on local heritage sites and communities in the United Kingdom. It considers the strategies implemented by local governments and communities to respond to this dangerous natural phenomenon. Specifically, the paper will focus on two main examples: it will look at the historic towns of York and Lancaster (two areas/towns regul...
This conference paper considered if and how more regular partnerships and collaborations between ... more This conference paper considered if and how more regular partnerships and collaborations between local cultural festivals and museums can help local diasporic communities to re-interpret and re-own their heritage.
Since 1890, every year in June, in the district of Ancoats in Manchester, UK, a religious process... more Since 1890, every year in June, in the district of Ancoats in Manchester, UK, a religious procession in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary takes place. For the past 150 years, the Italian community has been gathering in this area of Manchester (also known as ‘Little Italy’ due to the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s) to carry a statue of the Our Lady of the Rosary and the religious emblems of local catholic churches, across the city centre. The solemn procession - attended by the Mayor of Manchester, members of the regional Italian consulate, women in traditional Italian dresses and children in their First Communion dress- attracts hundreds of people, who come to watch the event and experience what is perceived as an authentic Italian celebration. This, indeed, is an important religious event for the Italian diasporic community in Manchester and for the city itself, which takes pride in being a multicultural and welcoming place. The procession, as a cultural/religious he...
This thesis is concerned with the interpretation and representation of nonWestern religious mater... more This thesis is concerned with the interpretation and representation of nonWestern religious material culture in Western museums. Specifically, it focuses on Yorübä traditional religious material culture exhibited nowadays in museums in the United Kingdom. The research aimed to investigate how members of the Yoruba diaspora, living in the United Kingdom, related to their traditional religious heritage, presented in museums. At the same time, the study intended to explore the perspective of museum professionals, involved with the displays exhibiting traditional Yoruba religious objects. The thesis counts of two main parts. The first part is concerned with the theoretical framework of the study. After presenting the main issues of the research and the existing literature review, it continues by clarifying the social function of symbols (particularly religious symbols) and by offering an historical excursus of museum displays exhibiting African material culture (from the 19th century un...
This short article focuses on two heritage sites (the International Bomber Command Centre and Cre... more This short article focuses on two heritage sites (the International Bomber Command Centre and Creswell Crags) and reflects on the ways in which such medium-size institutions are trying to find ways of maintaining offsite engagement with young audiences while at the same time generating revenues.
Shoes are the most accessible and necessary item of clothing. We all wear shoes to protect our fe... more Shoes are the most accessible and necessary item of clothing. We all wear shoes to protect our feet when walking or performing other activities: we all need shoes, we all want (new) shoes and since we were children, we all have been playing with our mum’s shoes. As objects of beauty, desire and play, shoes can make us feeling special and different, even if for a short while. Shoes, indeed, are fun: ‘they are the candy for the eyes, poetry for the feet’, says the cartoonist Mimi Pond. This exhibition presents the work of Kobi Levi (a skillful and pioneering footwear designer) and his playful world of shoes: it shows how anything (from a coffee pot to a trolley; from a chewing-gum to a banana) can be transformed into a stylish and funny pair of shoe that can people thinking about footwear in a different, playful way.
Invitation for papers on a session on heritage, cultural identity and newcomers in Europe today.
... more Invitation for papers on a session on heritage, cultural identity and newcomers in Europe today. We would like to explore how new cultural identities in transformation are challenging the notions and the significance of archaeological heritage today. How far current Authorized Heritage Discourses in Europe are changing due to contemporary process of migration and globalization? Could heritage sites and archaeological collections be a meeting point for socio-‐cultural dialogue between locals and newcomers? Could heritage sites and archaeological collections be creative platforms for other heritage discourses, better 'tuned' with today's European multicultural profile?. This session invites thus papers that would like to explore, analyze and discuss these questions, specially with a transdisciplinary approach. Indicative (but not restricted to) issues which the session will explore include: -Archaeological heritage, local communities and newcomers; -The sociology of migration and citizenship through museum collections; -The changing notions of European cultural identity, heritage and citizenship in the 21st century; -The role of mass media and networking technologies in relation to EU heritage. Please submit abstract to https://www.klinkhamergroup.com/eaa2017/sessions/contribution by 15 th March 2017.
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Papers by Anna Catalani
We would like to explore how new cultural identities in transformation are challenging the notions and the significance of archaeological heritage today. How far current Authorized Heritage Discourses in Europe are changing due to contemporary process of migration and globalization? Could heritage sites and archaeological collections be a meeting point for socio-‐cultural dialogue between locals and newcomers? Could heritage sites and archaeological collections be creative platforms for other heritage discourses, better 'tuned' with today's European multicultural profile?. This session invites thus papers that would like to explore, analyze and discuss these questions, specially with a transdisciplinary approach. Indicative (but not restricted to) issues which the session will explore include:
-Archaeological heritage, local communities and newcomers;
-The sociology of migration and citizenship through museum collections;
-The changing notions of European cultural identity, heritage and citizenship in the 21st century;
-The role of mass media and networking technologies in relation to EU heritage.
Please submit abstract to https://www.klinkhamergroup.com/eaa2017/sessions/contribution by 15 th March 2017.