Colonial complicity, exceptionalism, and decoloniality : an examination of Scandinavian national museums’ displays

Abstract

Scandinavian countries have long been perceived as havens of untouched nature, simplicity, Protestant values, social egalitarianism, and a deep-rooted democratic culture (Aronsson, 2012, p. 172). This has historically led to exceptionalist identities that view their colonial actions as relatively small and insignificant (Fur & Ipsen, 2009). However, this perspective has recently been challenged to some extent by the growing influence of the decolonial turn, resulting in a wide range of research in this area (Naum & Nordin, 2013). This thesis focuses on the colonial connections of Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway), exploring how this colonial complicity is portrayed in museum representations, specifically in displays. The study scrutinises national museums, assessing their influence on shaping exceptionalist identities and their engagement with decolonial discourses, evaluating how these institutions have initiated and incorporated decoloniality into their representations. To achieve this, the research encompasses three case studies: the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg, and the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. The research takes into consideration the size of the museums and respectively scrutinises one exhibition from each to determine the nature of knowledge constructed through displays. Interviews with museum curators complement this analysis. Building on literature that demonstrates the Scandinavian countries' colonial relations, the thesis argues that museum displays sometimes challenge exceptionalist narratives but often fall short of being genuinely decolonial. At other times, displays demonstrate a decolonial approach yet simultaneously contribute to the reinforcement of exceptionalist ideas. In this regard, Norway’s case study aligns with the first approach, while Denmark’s resembles the second. On the other hand, Sweden’s case study stands out from Denmark and Norway by achieving a comparatively more impactful representation in both exceptionalism and decolonial approaches. This comparison shows how Scandinavian countries, which are not usually seen as colonial powers, deal with these legacies while maintaining exceptionalist narratives about their colonial involvement.