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Ethnographic museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, showing global artifacts & special exhibitions.
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Reviews — 8
The exhibitions are probably nice, but there are working so rude workers. I did not understand that my ticket is not valid for all exhibitions and I met so unpolite and rude behaviour from the woman who works in the floor with the red tree instalation and some African braun clay cats. She stood over me and demanded in an impolite manner that I leave. Also in general here is not friendly atmosphere (for example in the shop). This spoiled all my and my colleagues impressions from exhibitions. I wish this will be fixed.
A museum with different floors and in each different art historical well curated facts. The staff very helpful. For the wardrobe coin they give you one in a wooden material for free. Last floor people were relaxing and meditating quite interesting set up corner place with instructions.
A really interesting and informative Museum in the heart of Basel. It has several floors with different themes and exhibitions plus you get access to the museum of the Basel Carnival which is round the corner. The staff were very enthusiastic and engaging and we really enjoyed our visit
I was here on May 1st (which is a holiday), and even though almost every other shop in the city was closed, thank god this museum wasn't. It was the most immersive and amazing experience, and I wish I could go back just to spend more time in the exhibitions.
More specifically their current exhibition on the 3rd floor called 'Remembering and Forgetting', about how we as different cultures hold memories and communicate through different devices. It was eye-opening and so beautiful. The text for the exhibition was incredibly well written and took accountability for how some cultures (white and western culture) have erased and continues to erase the history and memory of indigenous cultures, by removing their culture and how to preserve that memory.
The exhibition was very broad, raging from travel-souvenirs, to 1800-century tallies, to religious books, to how we talk about death and honouring the dead - because that is the essential in remembering; do we want to be remembered or set free?
Regarding the opening hours of the museum - as I was there May 1st, it was actually a Monday (where the museum is closed normally), but because it was a holiday, it was open. Very strange, but worth noting.
More specifically their current exhibition on the 3rd floor called 'Remembering and Forgetting', about how we as different cultures hold memories and communicate through different devices. It was eye-opening and so beautiful. The text for the exhibition was incredibly well written and took accountability for how some cultures (white and western culture) have erased and continues to erase the history and memory of indigenous cultures, by removing their culture and how to preserve that memory.
The exhibition was very broad, raging from travel-souvenirs, to 1800-century tallies, to religious books, to how we talk about death and honouring the dead - because that is the essential in remembering; do we want to be remembered or set free?
Regarding the opening hours of the museum - as I was there May 1st, it was actually a Monday (where the museum is closed normally), but because it was a holiday, it was open. Very strange, but worth noting.
I have seen the reviews about the lack of translations into other languages than German, however, each floor has paper translations of the exhibitions located at the entrence.
I do admit it is easily overlooked and I question if this is cost effective compared to the simple translation next to the exhibit pieces.
There is an alternative. If you have Google lense, you can make a picture of the local text and translate it in real time. It is very accurate.
Now, what has the museum to offer. Amazing perspectives for a country that has no colonial past. When I was visiting there was an exhibition about Buddha. Information was basic but enough to comprehend. What I was drawn to was the identity exhibition on the third floor. It shows the way of retaining a cultural identity during opression, which is something lauded in my opinion. Especially when it comes from an oppressive society or something with a colonial past.
I think this museum has potential, especially when you think that this country with no colonian past that has anthropological pieces from countries that have a colonial past.
I do admit it is easily overlooked and I question if this is cost effective compared to the simple translation next to the exhibit pieces.
There is an alternative. If you have Google lense, you can make a picture of the local text and translate it in real time. It is very accurate.
Now, what has the museum to offer. Amazing perspectives for a country that has no colonial past. When I was visiting there was an exhibition about Buddha. Information was basic but enough to comprehend. What I was drawn to was the identity exhibition on the third floor. It shows the way of retaining a cultural identity during opression, which is something lauded in my opinion. Especially when it comes from an oppressive society or something with a colonial past.
I think this museum has potential, especially when you think that this country with no colonian past that has anthropological pieces from countries that have a colonial past.
Fantastic ethnographic museum with an extensive collection of over 340000 items, considered one of the largest in Europe. Interestingly, the exhibits are not displayed by location or culture, but curated by topics. Covering four floors, one could easily spend half a day. Exit through the well done gift shop, that offers items related to current exhibits. Free lockers available. Wheelchair accessible.
I liked this museum a lot, could easily spend the whole day reading and contemplating about the art work.
They do have WiFi now in the entire building if you want to download a digital copy of the explanation in English or French, of course there are also have hardcopies at the entrance on each floor.
They do have WiFi now in the entire building if you want to download a digital copy of the explanation in English or French, of course there are also have hardcopies at the entrance on each floor.
