Managing "difficult heritage": seduction and challenges of museum decolonisation

The phenomenon of decolonisation is one of the most pressing and controversial issues facing contemporary museums. Beyond the necessary “formal” manifestations of revision and “correct” reinterpretation of collections, museums are called upon to place this process of transformation within their overall political and educational vision, seeking to reformulate their lexicon and narratives without subverting their mission of conservation, protection and research. This contribution analyses the general scope of this complex issue, focusing both on the fascination of the post-colonial phenomenon (with particular reference to contemporary art mediation) and on the critical issues and misunderstandings that often hinder the necessary revision of stereotypical and still highly divisive narratives.