The Making of the Mediterranean
Islanders aims to elucidate what defines island identities in the Mediterranean. The exhibition explores how insularity affected and shaped the cultural identities of Crete, Cyprus and Sardinia and provides a platform to debate cultural evolution on the islands as opposed to the surrounding mainland, asking the question ‘what does it mean to be an islander?’
Objects and materials provide glimpses into ancient communities on three of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Distinctive identities emerge, shaped by the specific environments. These communities shared an openness to embracing new ideas, technologies and styles, as traders, migrants and settlers moved across the sea. Architecture, art, food, writing, religion and burial traditions were repeatedly refashioned. These were creative, adaptable and dynamic communities. Open not insular.
The exhibition culminates by going beyond the topic of the Ancient Mediterranean to incorporate the current perceptions of, and discourses about island versus mainland cultural identities, wondering: what does it mean to be an islander today?
Island hopping
In the spirit of the island theme, our exhibition design is routed in the idea of ‘island hopping’, presenting connected objects upon isolated islands within the gallery space, while simultaneously reaching out to their neighbouring exhibits. The visitors journey through the exhibition space literally hops between islands and themes as they progress.
A sense of longing
Furthering the concept, the exhibition design takes colour and material cues directly from Greek islands. Crisp whites are interspersed with vivid blues, while dappled lighting beckons you to glimpse out through the colonnade to the picturesque island views beyond.
