Manker's list: Museum collections in the era of deaccessioning and disposal

Abstract

During the last decades debates and concerns over deaccessioning and disposal have affected museums worldwide. At the root of the debate lies the ever more pressing problem with overstocked collection; the consequence of decades and even centuries of allegedly far too liberal and eclectic collecting and acquisition practices. This paper presents some alternative views and argues in favor of such liberal collecting. Taking as its starting point a list of desired museum objects compiled by Swedish curator Ernst Manker, it emphasizes the immense value and unruly power of large and heterogeneous museum collections. By constantly being added to, these assemblages have developed into new and unforeseen becomings that may radically affect and disrupt existing knowledge. The paper also addresses museums as caretakers, offering spaces where things, including those once soiled and broken, can be treated with care and dignity.