Gregg-centricities: Curios of the Collection, Curation, 2024

Historically, the basis of modern day museums come from the 17th century trend of “cabinets of curiosities.” Adjacent to Victorian-era dime museums and freak shows, and modern day curio and oddity shops, these cabinets were a way for the rich to show off their collections. These objects could range from ancient artifacts, to paintings, to preserved biological specimens. Going into the 18th century, museums took this concept and made it a bit more professional, generally forgoing the “weirdness” associated with their predecessor. In an effort to bridge the gap between these historical and ethically questionable practices and the occasional mundanity of modern museums, this exhibit shows off some of the oddest objects in the Gregg’s collection. From children's toys to taxidermy, it showcases what viewers might not expect to see in a museum.

This curatorial project was done as a part of an internship at the Gregg Museum of Art and Design.

Click here to view the exhibit on the Gregg's website