Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

12.3 The cabinet of curiosities: Ferrante Imperato’s
Figure
in Naples, 1599
museum
play an important role in knowing—as
Objects
things that are known, the materials and tools
the
which we come to know things, or as
through
of the application of knowledge. Human-
results
objects are intertwined with the processes of
made
and are therefore suitable to be included
knowing,
the exhibition. Naturally occurring objects
in
relate to knowledge, such as celestial objects,
that
or rock formations can also be used.
clouds
that the exhibition asks for objects, it is
Given
appropriate to include living beings. Specific
not
of living beings may be used as long
photographs
it is the photograph, and not the being, that is
as
presented. We explore this nuance below.
being
objects may be too large to actually exhibit.
Some
may be privately owned or otherwise hard
Others
access. In these cases an image of the object
to
be presented instead. Digital objects, such as
can
tweet or an Instagram post, are also suitable for
a
exhibition. It should be clear whether you are
the
an image in place of the physical object
exhibiting
as a photograph of La Sagrada Familia
(such
Barcelona) or the image itself (such as the
in
photograph of Sharbat Gula by journalist
1984
McCurry called Afghan Girl). Note: in the
Steve
example, be clear that it is that particular
latter
featured on the National Geographic
photograph,
a photograph that is iconic and potentially
cover,
not the person. In the case of La Sagrada
and
your discussion should clearly focus on
Familia,
basilica as the object in the exhibition, rather
the
the qualities and features of the image such
than
about objects you have created? These may
What
included as long as they are pre-existing; that
be
they have not been specifically created for the
is,
of this exhibition. Challenge yourself to
purpose
meaning in objects that already exist in the
find
and be curious about the incredible things
world
the rest of the world’s humans have made,
that
and used. With this orientation you can
found
objects more interesting than any you
discover
have imagined. Margaret Mead describes
might
and inclusion—why these
Selection
and not others?
objects
making your selection of objects, be
In
about the objects you include and
curious
To practise, consider prompt 1
exclude.
counts as knowledge?”
“What
As a class, brainstorm at least 10 objects
1.
would include in an exhibition on
you
Discuss as a class what your objects reveal
2.
your biases and gaps
about
What kinds of knowledge are
(a)
underrepresented?
(b) Why did these not readily come to mind?
Consider again the 10 objects your class
3.
selected. Working on your own, select
has
that you would personally include.
three
your selection with that of a
Compare
Discuss where and how they differ.
partner.
were your reasons for including those
What
12
I.2.2 Selecting objects
What can I use and how do I choose?
as the lighting or perspective in the photograph.
this orientation as:
the open-mindedness with which one must look and
listen, record in astonishment and wonder, that which
one would not have been able to guess.
(Mead 1950)
For ref lection
this prompt.
problematic, that is the object of the exhibition,
specific objects and excluding the rest?
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