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| Transport and Communications Museum, "The automobile in Space and Time" exhibition, 2015 (Photo: Maria Vlachou) |
This week, I was at the
Transport and Communications Museum in Porto for a pre-conference workshop of ECSITE
(the European Network of Science Centres and Museums). I like to go back to the
Alfândega (customs building), I carry good memories, both as a visitor and as a
professional. Two years ago, I had been there for a very interesting conference
of the International Association of Museums of Transport and Communications,
which really marked me, and I took the opportunity to revisit the exhibition of
the automobile ("The Automobile in Space and Time") and to get to
know the exhibition "Communicate".
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| Alfândega (Custosm House) in Porto, Transport and Communications Museum (Photo: Maria Vlachou) |
As I approached the Alfândega
on Wednesday morning, I noticed that there was no indication in its exterior
that the building houses the Transport and Communications Museum and the
exhibitions it hosts. There were the banners of ECSITE, another on a regatta
and - I discovered with surprise - a large panel occupying part of the façade
and announcing an exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci.
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Alfândega (Custosm House) in Porto, Transport and Communications Museum (Photo: Maria Vlachou)
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My surprise, however,
was much greater when, at an interval from the workshop, as I walked through
the corridors, I discovered that the exhibition "The Automobile in Space
and Time" was closed. Permanently and not temporarily closed. This has
always been one of my favorite exhibits. I always speak about it in my training
courses as an example of how a subject, that initially sounded little interesting
to me, became fascinating through a good narrative. In this case, an excellent
narrative, well told, with clear language, with enthusiasm and a sense of
humor. By 2017, we could expect to see this exhibition temporarily closed for a
necessary refurbishment. But closed for good? Why?
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| Stand at the reception of the Transport and Communications Museum. Information on the Automobile exhibition has been removed. (Photo: Maria Vlachou) |
So, I began putting the pieces together and wonder what is happening to the Transport and Communications Museum? Nothing advertises in the building exterior; inside, one of the best exhibitions disappears and, in the meantime, another one appears, on Leonardo da Vinci ... Which, for those who have a more trained eye in these matters, has got all the characteristics, in terms of communication, of a money-making-initiative and which is not assumed by anyone, but has got the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Porto and the University of Porto, among others. Who’s presenting this exhibition? Why is he/she not identified on the promotion material? Why is this exhibition hosted at the Alfândega?
Through a smaller stand
at the reception desk, we are informed that reservations for this exhibition
are made through the email reservas@otw.pt When we try to find out who owt.pt is, we are confronted
with the information "SORRY! If you are the owner of this website, please
contact your hosting provider: webmaster@otw.pt".
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| Entrance of the Transport and Communications Museum (Photo: Maria Vlachou) |
The exhibition has got its own website and, when we reach the end of the homepage, we find out that the exhibition is “Promotor
by [sic] Out of the Wall”. Clicking on the link, we are taken to Tickets, we end up not knowing who Out of the Wall is.
I feel something is
happening to the Transport and Communications Museum. As a professional and a
visitor, I would like to understand what. The exterior signs are worrying. How
are these options justified by the AMTC – The Association for the Transport and Communications Museum, whose promoting founding associates include, among others, the Municipality
of Porto, the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage and the Regional Northern
Culture Directorate?
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