Archives and museums view their collections as the memory of society. But who ultimately decides what is preserved? Who gets to view these collections, and what biographies or stories are completely missing from them? Based on examples and selected objects, the guests discuss their politically motivated collection strategies and the integration of various social groups.

Sophie Gerber (moderator)
Dr Sophie Gerber is a technology historian. She has managed the collection groups of ‘household appliances’ and ‘food, beverages & tobacco’ at the Vienna Museum of Science & Technology since 2019. She develops strategies for diversity-oriented, gender-informed collecting, exhibition, presentation and research in technical and science museums. Her research interests include gender and queer studies, material culture, and the historic relationship of technology, consumption and everyday life.

Lynhan Balatbat-Helbock
Lynhan Balatbat-Helbock is a freelance curator and the co-managing director of SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin. She studied postcolonial cultures and global policy at Goldsmiths University of London. A resident of Berlin since 2014, she now heads the participative archive project ‘Colonial Neighbours’. In her study of the permanent collection at SAVVY Contemporary, she looks for traces of the colonial era which have manifested themselves in our current times. The collaborative archive is devoted to discussing forgotten histories and decanonising the Western perspective.

Birga Meyer
Dr Birga Meyer was appointed head of the Schwules Museum in April 2023 after serving in various positions since 2017, including as curator, project manager and executive board member. She is a history and cultural studies scholar and is specialised in how history is represented in the museum. Her central interests lie in intersectional, inclusive, participative and sustainable museum work.

temporary bauhaus-archiv
Knesebeckstraße 1
10623 Berlin

Participation is free.
Registration is requested.