Identity Blog

Research in an ongoing part of what we do - both during the development of an exhibition and afterwards.

We are fortunate to have Cathrin Bernhardt from La Trobe University working on a research project that also relates to our Identity exhibition. Let me introduce her and her research to you.

Cathrin Bernhardt: Where do I belong?

I am currently undertaking a PhD in Anthropology at La Trobe University in Bundoora. One aspect of my PhD research on second generation Germans in Melbourne is the role of belonging in the construction of identity among children of German migrants. In the last year, I have interviewed 29 second generation Germans, both female and male, who are currently living in Melbourne and are between the age of 18 and 60 years, about how they think about their identity. The experiences of belonging among this group are very diverse. Some are feeling in-between both cultures and are still searching for their sense of belonging, others are feeling deeply rooted in Australia and only experience a connection to their German background at specific times of the year, for example Christmas. Some see themselves as citizens of the world, while others have a strong connection to their German background and maintain active ties to their parents’ homeland. 

Promotional photograph for the German Fest held at the Immigration Museum, 2007
Image: Rodney Start
Source: Museum Victoria

Museum Victoria gives me a great opportunity to get away from my desk at university and to apply what I am learning through my own research to a museum context. Once a week, I have the chance to contribute as Research Associate to the ‘Searching for Clues’ section in the identity exhibition. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience to explore the personal stories of other second generation migrants in Victoria and to see similarities and differences in their identity formation and sense of belonging compared to my participants.

There are 2 great opportunities to find out and even share what it means to you.

Promotional image for 'Phi and Me' - starting 30 March as part of the 2011 Comedy Festival
Image: Fi&D Productions
Source: Fi&D Productions  

Phi and Me is a new comedy play, debuting at the 2011 Comedy Festival.

Phi is a second generation Vietnamese Australian. Phi appears to be a typical Vietnamese boy, who studies hard to make his mother proud, but deep down inside all Phi ever wanted in life was to be a superstar.  

Adapted from Diana’s published Short Story – “5 ways to disappoint your Vietnamese Mother” , the Comedy play will be performed at the Guildford Lane Gallery.

Phi and Me highlights issues faced by second generation Vietnamese Australian families, including stereotyping and the adversities his mother faced as a refugee. From language barriers to getting through Australian customs, Phi shares funny stories about his dysfunctional relationship with his mum. 

The show runs from 30 March to 10 April.

To find out more and book tickets go to their website.
 

Also showing at Guildford Lane Gallery during the show will be an exhibition called, ‘Identity'.  (It's a popular topic!)  The exhibition explores the issues of ethnic cultural traditions that influence second generation Vietnamese women growing up in Australia.

Her Productions are calling out for submissions.  So if you are interested you have until the 11 March to get your submission ready.

What does the Ao Dai mean to you?  What is your identity?

Responding to these questions, artworks can be photography, poetry, painting, sculpture and words. Your work will be exhibited at the Guildford Lane Gallery during the performance of Phi and Me .  Works exhibited will also receive free tickets to Phi and Me .

Submissions are due by Friday 11th of March at 5pm.

For more information or to submit your work, contact Diana at diana@herproductions.org or call 0422 205 481.

We are showcasing a range of artists who are exploring their sense of identity through their art in the upcoming exhibition.  The exhibition includes works and interviews with a range of artists like photographer Bindi Cole, the comedy duo from Fear of a Brown Planet and poet Andy Jackson.  Stay tuned for a sneak peak of some the exhibition videos.

But in the meantime, if art is your thing, then you might also be interested in this exhibition at fortyfivedownstairs - also focusing on the idea of identity!

Identity at fortyfivedownstairs, is part of the Queer City program of the Midsummar Festival.  The exhibition looks at who we are, who we have been and where we are going.

"Birth", photograph by Matto Lucas
Image: Matto Lucas
Source: Matto Lucas

Featuring artwork by 9 different artists, the exhibition explores through a number of different mediums, how people see us both within our own communities and our surrounding ones.

It's on until this Saturday 5 Feb.  For more information have a look at the fortyfivedownstairs website.

Also coming up at fortyfivedownstairs, is a new Australian play called Café Scheherazade, which also dealing with ideas of identity and belonging.  Based on the best-selling 2001 novel by Arnold Zable, it is written by Therese Radic and directed by Bagryana Popov.

Revealing the poignant, and often humorous stories of its patrons, Café Scheherazade looks at the history of the Jewish diaspora and the journeys and stories of European refugees in Melbourne in the 1960s.

Special Earlybird tickets are available till Friday 4 Feb.  Go here for bookings.

We will be displaying  a beautiful 18^th century Qur’an from the collection as a symbol of cultural endurance in the Identity exhibition. We wanted to obtain advice from the Albanian Muslim community, from where the Qur’an came, on how to most appropriately and sensitively present this precious prayer book.

Close up image of the Qur’an to be exhibited.
Source: Museum Victoria  

Through our contacts in the Albanian community, we were able to invite Imam Rexhep Idrizi from the Albanian mosque in Carlton to come to the Museum to assist us. The Imam was able to confirm advice previously received on the appropriate height to display a Qur’an, which cannot be low to the ground. He also advised on a selection of pages appropriate for display and offered to assist with providing translations so that we will be able to respond to any visitor enquires about the Qur’an text.

Fanol Isai and Imam Rexhep Idrizi advising us about how to most appropriately and sensitively present the Qur’an.
Source: Museum Victoria  

It was a wonderful example of how the museum consults with experts in the community in order to meet our responsibilities to act in culturally sensitively ways.

For more about the Qur’an go to my earlier blog entry. 

If you have been to the Immigration Museum lately, and been up to visit the West Africa exhibition you may have noticed the large pink wall and wondered what is happening on the other side ...

Well, now that Station Pier has been de-installed, we are starting to install Identity: yours, mine, ours.

Here is a sneak peak of what is behind the pink wall ....

What is behind the pink wall?
Source: Museum Victoria  

Identity: yours, mine, ours - coming soon!
Source: Museum Victoria

Construction begins in the Identity exhibition space
Source: Museum Victoria

The "Belonging Wall" starts to take form.
Source: Museum Victoria

The faces are starting to appear in the gallery
Source: Museum Victoria