5 Years Already!, Mucem, Marseille: 22 May 2018-31 January 2019

How about an exhibition on exhibitions? Five years since it opened its doors, the Mucem is exploring how it got its hands on the objects in its collections. In tribute to the work of Mucem’s conservation experts, 5 Years Already! tracks a story of purchases: from individuals, art sellers, salespeople and field investigators.

The fifty objects on display speak to the Mucem’s dual mission: to document Mediterranean history, and do so from a variety of angles including ethnographic, historical, cultural, and art history. The objects range from graffiti to paintings, and ceramics to photographs. Interestingly, many haven’t left the museum archives until now. At the same time, the objects give a window into the acquisition process itself.

The layout is crisp, clean and modern: no more drab glass cabinets with unreadable plaques. Bright light and coloured frames help to show objects from their best angle, each one with a short piece on how it ended up in the Mucem. This is the museum’s Centre for Conservation and Resources, normally sealed off from the public.

5 Years Already! Is a great opportunity to discover a museum still young and upcoming, and works hard to make its displays as engaging and contemporary as possible.

MuCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée)

7 Prom. Robert Laffont, 13002 Marseille