|
This
project has explored the idea that minority groups enrich the culture
of the communities they join.
Initially a minority culture may seem strange or new to the ‘host'
culture, but often over a period of time the cultures mix and the
differences become blurred.
The
project has identified three stages in this process:
| Idiosyncrasy
/ novelty |
Distinguishing
cultural features continue to identify minority groups within
a larger community. Often these are visible signals, like dress
or hair styles, or practises like rituals or festivals. Even
if adopted by the host community they remain symbols of the
original culture. |
| Antithesis
/ contrast |
Cultural
differences and contrasts preserve the identity of minority
groups and help to maintain group and community cohesion. |
| Symbiosis
/ coexistence |
Over
time minority cultural features mix readily with and enrich
the host culture and are in turn influenced by it. Some features
blend so easily that they create a new culture.
|
The
project explored these ideas through three themes: food, fashion
and furnishing - as illustrated by the collections of the three
museums in the project partnership.
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