British Museum: “Peruvian pre-Hispanic cultures must have a permanent presence in the museum”

The British Museum in London, one of the most important and oldest cultural institutions in that city, will host the exhibition “Peru, a journey in time” (“Peru, a journey back in time”), With more than 130 pieces such as ceramics, textiles and ritual paraphernalia on display.

To know more details about this exhibition, Management chatted with Hartwig Fischer, director of the British Museum, who then explains the scope of the exhibition, the efforts to carry it out and the relevance it has in positioning the culture and history of Peru among British and international visitors to the museum.

1. Why is it important for the British Museum to host this exhibition?

The British Museum aims to examine and explore the global history of mankind in all its complexity and bring these diverse narratives to the millions of people who tour it each year and to the many millions more who visit it online. “Peru, a journey back in time”Is an essential chapter of that story. This collaborative Anglo-Peruvian project is exactly the right exhibit for the British Museum.

2. What criteria were crucial in deciding to make a presentation about Peru?

For this exhibition, Peruvian and international scholars have combined new ideas and approaches to explore the Andean past and present, many of them inspired by the collection of the British Museum. It’s exciting to have an exhibition that not only informs people about a part of the world that they may not know much about, but also challenges them to see their world through a different cultural lens.

3. Being the British Museum one of the most important institutions in the world, why was Peru not on this level before?

The Americas have always been at the heart of the British Museum’s collections. Sir Hans Sloane, upon whose collections the museum was founded in 1753, spent time in the Americas and objects from Peru were in the original collection. South America appeared in permanent galleries in the 18th and 19th centuries, but it is true that the 20th century saw exhibits that often focused on narratives related to the origins of ‘Western civilization’ within which South America it was not presented directly.

However, the 21st century is a very different time in which all human societies in the world are reviewing their past and trying to move in the right direction for global societies. Today’s British Museum is an institution that leads many of these debates, a museum from the world to the world, proactively pursuing the latest research and collaborative debates to examine important issues in global society, collectively learning from our global past to plan our shared future. This has been a unique opportunity to put the remarkable Peruvian collections stored in the British Museum in context with objects from recent archaeological research in Peru, thus contributing to the ongoing process of rewriting the history of Ancient Peru.

4. What was the most challenging part of the entire process?

This is the first exhibition to be fully conceived, created and delivered during the COVID pandemic, so there have been enormous challenges to overcome. It is proof of the strong long-term relationships between the British Museum staff and friends and colleagues throughout Peru that have made this a success. This Anglo-Peruvian collaboration has been the essential element with 11 Peruvian and 13 international authors who have contributed to the exhibition catalog.

As for many people around the world over the last 18 months, most of these conversations have been through the digital screen interface, rather than in person over coffee or pisco sour, but thanks to your support and encouragement. Peru have managed to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Despite these obstacles, we established important collaborations with Peruvian institutions, such as the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco, Colectivo Altiplano and people from all over Peru who work in the preservation of the legacy of the past such as Nilda Callanaupa (Cusco), Victor Huamanchumo (Trujillo ) and Manuel Choqque (Sacred Valley).

We are also very grateful to Promperú for supporting the exhibition, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, our partner the Lima Art Museum (MALI) and the institutions that lent the pieces, in particular to the Department of Culture, Amano Museum, Larco Museum , National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History of Peru, El Brujo Archaeological Project, Huacas de Moche Archaeological Project and Kunturwasi Site Museum.

5. Should Peruvian pre-Hispanic cultures have a significant presence in the museum’s permanent exhibition?

Yes. The Andean world is the cradle of more than 15,000 years of human creativity and cultural development and a shining example of technological innovation and environmental adaptation that is a wonder to behold. These narratives will always demand a place within the cultural pantheon of the world.

6. What do you think will change the perception that British society has of Peruvian pre-Hispanic cultures?

I believe this exhibition will bring many of these narratives to a UK audience for the first time and will inform and captivate in equal measure. The histories of environmental relationships managed through time and, indeed, time itself can be conceived differently. All of this will challenge perceptions and will undoubtedly encourage people to travel to Peru and see the extraordinarily beautiful and captivating country for themselves.

7. Do you think this exhibition could have an impact on the way other British cultural institutions approach Peruvian cultures?

The British Museum is always hopeful that our exhibits will attract news attention and interest and spark debate beyond the exhibit itself. I feel like this exhibition will do that, it is the first major exhibition on Peru to be held at the British Museum in over 100 years and this significant moment is a time for interesting discussions to take place beyond the museum walls. This broader impact will also be created due to the incredibly strong relationships we have now forged with the dedicated team at the Ministry of Culture in developing this show.

Relevant data

Objects in the exhibition: 133

Objects loaned by Peru: 43

Entrance fee: US $ 20.5 (15 pounds sterling)

Duration: three months until February 20, 2022