Possible objectives 3 – The Museum that brings together a world divided. Exhibition “Overseas Trophies: a history to be rewritten”

The exhibition “Overseas Trophies. A story to be rewritten” , forming part of the 3rd edition of the ‘Obiettivi possibili’ exhibition, which is dedicated to sustainability, inclusion and the goals of the 2030 Agenda, invites the public to take a critical look at the zoological, ethnographic and photographic collections linked to Italian explorations in Africa.

Fifteen years on from the exhibition Hic sunt leones, the Friulian Museum of Natural History in Udine returns to reflecting on explorations in Africa, but the perspective has changed radically: no longer a narrative of endeavour and discovery, but a reflection on the power relations that accompanied colonialism and on the role that science, museums and exploration played in shaping that narrative.

At the heart of the exhibition are the African animals from Vittorio Tedesco Zammarano’s 20th-century collection which, alongside artefacts, photographs and archival documents, will serve as a means of exploring themes such as: big game hunting, the link between science and colonial expansion, and the construction of an image of Africa that served the political and economic agendas of the time.

Friulian Museum of History and Nature

Building 1, former Slaughterhouse – 32 Via Sabbadini

Open Tuesday to Friday, 2.00 pm–6.00 pm, and Saturday, 10.00 am–6.00 pm

Admission free

Guided tours free at 6.00 pm on 16, 23 and 30 July with booking required:

info.mfsn@comune.udine.it