Displaying and processing political violence in museum spaces: An introduction

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Museums are central yet contested sites for engaging with the histories and legacies of political violence. Emerging from private collections and often from colonial contexts, they historically legitimized imperial conquest and repression, mostly neglecting critical scrutiny of their artifacts’ origins and narratives. Although the 20th century saw museums formally adopting more educational roles, their representations of political violence mostly reinforced hegemonic ideologies. A significant shift occurred post-World War II with Holocaust memorial museums emphasizing victimhood, commemoration, and prevention. By the late 20th century, critical and decolonial museology further challenged the concept of museums as supposedly authoritative institutions, and has been advocating for inclusive, reflexive practices that confront inter alia colonial complicity and amplify marginalized voices. This special issue examines how museums and those involved in them including artists and authors navigate the complexities of representing political violence, balancing historical accuracy, ethical considerations, and community engagement. They highlight the tensions between commemoration and sensationalism, raising critical questions about whose narratives are prioritized and whose are silenced. Drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks from memory studies, anthropology, and cultural studies, the contributors explore diverse global contexts, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and Germany. Case studies highlight decolonial interventions, contested memories, and innovative curatorial practices that attempt to resist linear historical narratives and foster social reconciliation in regards of political violence. By interrogating the implicit power dynamics and normative classifications within museum representations, this collection advances critical debates on the role of museums in shaping or enabling collective memory. It calls for a critical reevaluation of museological practices, urging institutions to acknowledge their complicity in historical and/or ongoing systemic violence while recognizing their potentials for reconciliation and decolonization efforts.