Fernando Almarza Rísquez
I am graduated in History Art and Theory, and postgraduate (Magister Scientiarum) in the same are, with major in Museology. I have worked as Registrar and Collections Manager in some museums.
Location Caracas, VENEZUELA
Activity
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Given the status of the inclusion project that I mentioned, I consider that the section for the "Plan a series of focus groups and interviews with audiences and key informants identified through my readings", and the reference to "Draft discussion questions and test them with peers and colleagues Create a tentative list of participants" is what is needed now....
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
It is we who are grateful for having given us the opportunity to take this excellent Course. Now we are more qualified in our museum profession to address and resolve situations that involve acts of exclusion for any reason on the right foot. A greeting of thanks goes to those who created and supported this Course. Congratulations to al, students and teachers.
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@DheybyYolimarQuinteroSivira
Hola Dheyby: Te saludo cordialmente. Quería saber si podemos contactar por mail para ver si trabajamos juntos como stakeholders, ya que tú eres venezolana también. Te comento que estoy redactando mi artículo en el que planteo que no encuentro mucho asidero para aplicar cosas del curso, pues no sé si hay casos de racismo formal o... -
It is a very typical situation in Latin America.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Three examples of interesting museums, and that is to say the least.
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Your words are very wise and prudent, Maria.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I totally agree with her. Wise - though sometimes obvious - suggestions.
However, the language must always be inclusive, by EVERYONE. I want to say that sometimes I personally have had to interact with non-cisgender people and they have manifested a language and an attitude that excludes those of us who are not active in their sexual community. The...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I wonder if one of the problematic elements there is the term "power". We can understand power as the possibility of doing something that was planned or desired... But it seems that the term "power" is directly related to and exercised with "force" in its negative sense, such as the imposition of something (by the the strongest) over others (the weakest).
I...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
A story that started well, and ended (for now) with a sad ending, absurd. What failed? In the last paragraph of the story? It seems that there was no willingness to put themselves in the other's shoes...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
In principle, autoreflexivity is an extension of self-awareness, which helps us realize what we think, and how we think (where our thoughts come from and how they are structured). In addition, self-awareness helps us to better understand others, to understand their positions and speeches; It also helps us to put ourselves in the shoes of the other, in their...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Interesting. Original approach that she makes to make her collections visible and show them in terms of contemporary history. And she is very careful to avoid talking about the decol, since that produces a lot of "buzz" of interpretations and responses.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
First of all, this courageous article unmasks many erroneous claims and idioms of decolonization, inclusion, etc. Bravo.
I'll try to answer-comment both questions here. I think that the processes of indigenization/maorification (as well as similar processes that can be operated with indigenous and black communities in Latin America) must start from a...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Enlightening article.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Undoubtedly, it is highly desirable to be able to train as a changemaker (this Course helps a lot in that), to be more efficient in our work of inclusion and democratization in the museum. Although, as I said in Week 1 of the Course, there are still many limitations (which we will be able to overcome later), such as the lack of adequate budgets, the somewhat...
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Of course, inclusivity makes people and communities feel less self-conscious. It is time for museums to understand that the multiple voices on the heritage collected and exhibited are a right and a necessity, which provides the necessary breadth of meanings that every culture can incorporate, without cultural purism or selfishness.
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Undoubtedly, Nidia and Cláudia, inclusion, through different methodologies depending on the type of community and origin, cultural profile, etc., generates that well-understood empowerment for them, which in turn translates into broader and even unexpected visions of heritage. exposed. That is: the museum as a site of resignifications and multiple visions.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think that depending on the type of heritage and collection of each museum, one methodology and strategy or another may be more "applicable" or relevant. And that will also depend on the type of marginalized community you want to actively include (whether black, indigenous, displaced, sexually diverse, immigrant, etc.).
I am convinced that the equitable...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Actually, all the methodologies that the course provided us were beneficial for my professional performance in the museum. But, as I work directly with museum collections (Collections Manager), the Inventory methodology will help me a lot, and also the inclusion of diverse voices when assigning entries or labels (tags) to these objects, which helps to broaden...
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Agree. If you want, read my comment above.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Excellent. A way of understanding heritage not only in its possibility of Intangible, but also of expanding that conception to include the very fact of its oral transmission (could this novelty be extended to the transmission of written form?).
As for this resistance to sticking to academic forms and methodologies, this experience has been an opportunity...
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Without a doubt, I consider that this has been the key point of this work.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
This is indeed a new, wise and prudent experience. How important that the role of archaeologists or external professionals has been "transmuted" by that of Mediators or Facilitators. An experience worth following, for any type of community, not only native indigenous people but also black people and immigrants. Bravo. In the end, the indigenous wisdom of the...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
A very interesting and wise procedure to attract and stimulate people. Everyone's input is equally valuable and relevant.
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That's right, Alexandra. Thank you.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
They are masterfully an incorporation and inclusion of the communities. Those three steps are an interesting methodology. But I see that when the "community" is named here, we are talking about small groups, even neighborhoods or sectors that are rather marginal or with low income. I have nothing against these groups, on the contrary. But I wonder if this good...
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A very broad, admirable strategy.
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Strongly agree with you.
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I believe that it would be a good strategy, to begin with, to eliminate all discourse of resentment and perhaps revengeful or victimizing intention, which does not deny the sufferings of the marginalized, but which does not have to display them as a flag of supposed "salvation."
Here an "equality" is necessary in terms of the capacities or responsible...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Totally agree. I see that alliances or "complicities", as a lived and active practice must be of "both parties", without pretending that supremacist groups (of any skin color) expect "the others" to ally with them. Nope. These alliances are of both parties, in terms of an equality that respects diversity (without reducing it to a monolithic equality), which is...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
The criteria raised are very reasonable. Undoubtedly, a lot of new terminology is reduced to an idiom, a cliché. Personally, it seems to me (I must say that I draw on some direct experiences of mine) that it would not be so prudent to seek to overcome diversity simply by prioritizing or giving voice to those who have been marginalized; these voices could not...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Example of an original and creative action. Very interesting.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I can only say, for now, that no museum can assume that it will apply a single strategy and a single principle of inclusion, as if it were a cooking recipe. Undoubtedly, the wise reflections and analysis of Lillian Xiao are enlightening, but it seems to me that they have to be adapted - perhaps some do not work or fit at all - according to the type of museum...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think that diversity IS the condition of the museum, of the socio-cultural, and of all that it implies. Perhaps diversity does not have to be seen as a "medium."
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Very enlightening.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
2. How can we prevent diversity from becoming the difference that doesn’t make a difference?
We could reinterpret these two concepts with another logic. Diversity does not have to be seen as "difference". Let me explain: diversity would be given by the sociocultural (and all that it implies). In the framework of an inclusive community, what is sought is...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
An excellent way to work on the planned goals. The three principles are very wise (sustainability, understanding and "working with ..."). I love the fluid character that this initiative developed with the VGM, open and adapting to unforeseen circumstances, which are complex and not simplistic, which completely departs from the pretense of applying all the...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Methodically and methodologically impeccable. I think that this model could be applied in other realities, without trying to make a drastic imposition of the analysis, but by adapting it to those other different socio-cultural and geographical realities.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
This conceptualization of the circular nature of inclusive transformative programming is interesting. To consider.
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@DheybyYolimarQuinteroSivira Your vision is very brave and sincere. It's unfortunate at times, but true. You have to deal with that too. The museum can be opened, but so can certain sectors of the public.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Among its very important contributions, this section includes some elements that are sometimes present: stereotypes, prejudices and resentments that exclude themselves and models of thought that sometimes prevail in the mentalities of many of the members of the communities, which are the potential audiences and included participants of a museum. I don't want...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Undoubtedly. Inclusive policy and action planning requires taking into account many variables and elements. It is a complex action and circumstances, and cannot be claimed to result from a ready-made recipe. It is a great challenge, possible, that we can all take on.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think, in a first approach, that the museum can deploy a great amount of resources to become more inclusive:
a) from exhibitions and broader thematic and curatorial approaches (depending on the type of collection you have), including novel approaches, perhaps a little "lighter", never exercised before, to
b) invite specific audiences and communities to... -
Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Governance would be like the total expression, the compendium or summation of the ethical, legal, moral and managerial aspects that the leaders of an institution assume and exercise.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Yes! I had already intuited these complexities and nuances, from my own professional practice. Now it is more enlightening to review and integrate the contents of this Week 3.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
We hope so!
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think that the exercise of ethics is the guiding principle for everyone, in the exercise of all responsibilities. In any case, it is always complex, and quite difficult, to work with people, with their psychological, cultural and social diversity; in short, heterogeneity requires at least prudence, and enough patience and mutual understanding.
In any...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I consider that any intention to create truly inclusive environments is a complex process (that is, many factors intervene at the same time with which to operate), and any simplification should not be sought or intended, as it is distorting, or always leaves things or "outside" aspects.
Good governance in any institution must consider this, including what...
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Wow. Excellent and varied initiatives.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez replied to Maryalice M
Your comment is very honest. You will do it.
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Very true. Nothing replaces "normal" human interaction, although interactions through technologies, for people with disabilities, are a noble and inclusive endeavor.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I have only been able to see the traditional devices for the disabled, referring only to mobility (ramps, wheelchairs and, in some cases, certain objects or works of art that can be touched). But I have not yet been able to find, in Latin America, devices for the disabled that constitute a real opportunity for innovation (which does not mean that they do not...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
It is clear, really.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
So far I have only seen disability stories from the "classical" point of view. However, I will be more prepared to see it and admire disability, with the expression of this text about Girma, which affirms that all disability is an opportunity for innovation.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
This section opens additional important and necessary considerations about museum visitor inclusivity. It seems to me that much of this inclusiveness is materialized with the use of both digital and material resources in general (access ramps, spaces with adequate visibility, etc.). All this implies the provision of significant budgetary resources, and...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Unfortunately, today I am not linked or close to any museum institution of the proposed type. In fact, in my home country such initiatives have not developed much, until now. And I am currently on a similar search in other Latin American countries.
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I also wonder if this type of noble and desirable integration can be produced rather in museums with collections of an ethnographic or anthropological approach, made up of objects contributed by the communities themselves or by their immediate surroundings. It seems to me that such an integration in museums such as those of more "academic" or "cult" art would...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
What the authors propose has an ideal resonance, generating positive achievements for the communities and the museum institution. I agree with them. But ... I think that sounds good when applied and developed in communities where socially there do not seem to be conflicts, or violence, and impeccable moral values, especially when it comes to sharing things as...
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Undoubtedly, a consultation process for participatory governance is a continuum, simultaneously encompassing several dimensions of the approaches to be addressed. The article proposes enlightening concepts, welcome. This includes the different cultural heritage and the depth of thought and abstraction, tending to specific and even novel proposals. Thus, the...
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It is inspiring to see and hear this woman. She and her principles, those of the Foundation that she co-directs, are very clear about the cultural specificity of Uganda, its cultural diversity, and above all, the need for it to be understood that they are part of a nation in common. The support they give to their communities is key to the development of...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
These guidelines are an indispensable reference in any company, institution or established organization. Museums are, by right, an institution, and they require these governance rules and guidelines for their operation, their vision and mission, and their processes and workflows. These ethical principles are - or should be - at the heart of museums in their...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
The first ethical issue is the concern of these young people for their intangible heritage and the initiatives they took to make it known.
But who set those prohibitive prices to access the photos? Local governments? If so, undoubtedly the instance that decided such a thing is doing moral, cultural and historical damage to those communities; there is a... -
A beautiful example of solidarity with these patients, turned into a museum. Worthy of imitation in all countries, with the same disease or with another condition that affects health and that warrants a certain level of seclusion, without exclusions.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Yes. Both morality and its practice in ethics have a wide range of "applications", which cover practically all areas of humanity. And the field of museums does not escape from it.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Two key elements in ethics: Ethics are... "the moral principles which will govern behaviour and/or when conducting a particular activity", and the "Ethical leadership is the kind of behaviour...". Undoubtedly, ethics, ethos, is the realization, the application, of established moral principles, in any area of human doing.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
It is understood. Let's get started.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Ok. Here we go. Thanks.
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@PGGuba Agree!
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think that there would be a fundamental element in any strategy of inclusion and participation in the museum, and that is THE STIMULUS, the opening and the incorporation of the capacities and actions of significances and re-significances of the collected and exhibited heritage.
All objects, testimonies and images (still or moving) reflect something, and...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I say thank you to you. I look forward to continuing to obtain more information that enables us to better manage inclusiveness and participation strategies in museums.
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Several years ago, as a consultant for the Collections Register in a medium-sized 19th and mid-20th century art museum located in one of the oldest sectors of Caracas, I saw closely the call to that community to participate in an exhibition on the history of the sector. The community contributed toys and old objects, photos and oral testimonies that told their...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
An excellent experience that favored the Museum and, in this case, the Rohingya community, which well deserved this action. Worthy of being repeated and appropriate to different cases of exclusion and victimization.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I think this sounds very very good in museums of the ethnological, anthropological, community type, etc., and with communities in which their population expresses positive values and peace ... This excellent article is focused on that typology of museums, but I believe that there is evidence of exclusion in other types of museums as well. I suppose the Course...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
BELONGING
I'm like "at home" / Shared ownership / Shared knowledge / Of all /
Of none / Without selfishness / Identity / Echo / History / I know the place /
I understand / Local flavor / You are taken into account / They ask for your opinion / You give your opinion / They listen to your opinion / Include your opinion / I reflect / I learn / I teach / I... -
Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I can only say, for now, that anyone can feel belonging to a site especially when they feel that it is taken into account, or when they receive a sincere museological or patrimonial discourse, which moves away from colonialist or exclusive visions, such as those of those omniscient narratives in which the museum or the curator "knows everything" and does not...
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Original and supportive! Very interesting suggestion, full of empathetic attitude towards those with such reduced mobility.
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@CamillaCibele Thank you for your comments! That's right, Camilla. That idea of the omniscient narrative of the museum and the curator still persists in many places. That is why the importance of the inclusion of the public and the opinions they can give; even considering the possibilities of co-curatorships, etc. I think they are an excellent form of symbolic...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Gates expands the concept of "belonging" as a consequence of inclusion strategies. Gates goes further and proposes very lucidly that lasting relationships of belonging should be built and maintained, promoting and enhanced and enlarge spaces shared ownership and responsibility, which implies an institutional cultural change.
I think the usefulness of...
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@AnitaSmeltere That's right, Anita, sadly.
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I mean that the concept and terminology of Exclusion, Inclusion and Participation do not seem to be absolute nor applicable everywhere as if they were a universal law.
I think there is another type of Exclusion that I have not seen mentioned in this first week of the Course, and it is Exclusion for political-ideological reasons, which often have dire...
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The strategies that I have tried to develop focus on the interpretations that broader human groups can make of museum collections, urging them to express their voices and the potential re-significances of them, as a way of symbolic appropriation. But this can sometimes collide with several things, such as a certain lack of interest in many people, or a certain...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
The key word here would be PARTICIPATION, since exclusion is the cruel attempt to prevent that participation from happening. When strategies aimed at Participation are specified, these may be aimed at materializing general social belonging, and at understanding cultural heritages through, among other things, understanding their meanings and re-significances....
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I am sure that the Course will provide us with additional elements, concepts and considerations that will refine and strengthen the strategies that in this sense each one is developing in their respective museum work. I seek integral inclusivity, from the strategies that one develops with the museum collections, and that tend to enrich the interpretations and...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Hello colleagues. I greet to all of you cordially. I am Venezuelan, but living and working in other Latin American countries. I am a Museologist and teacher, specialized in the Register and Cataloging of Museum Collections. My experience and museum approach point towards the meaningful and participatory inclusion of the public in strategies that start from the...
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I could not agree more with you.
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Thank you very much for your comments, Scarlet, because they help me a lot to reinforce my resilience and to be, or to try to be, more understanding and patient.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
THis has been an excellent course. Now we have with more elements for improve our resilience and capabilities in order to live a better life, especially with our collective and neighbour. Thanks to Prof. O'Donnell and the other professors. Excellent content.
I have a question: how can we "reinforce" our Resilience in cases in which we find people close to...
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I totally agree with you, Rowena. I call that attitude "Obama Effect" ;-) because we all remember the kindness that the former president had for all the workers of the White House when he was President.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I have found it very useful, when I have been responsible for, supervisor or head of a work team, the strategy of first recognizing the successes, successes and potential of each member, publicly extolling it. I try to be aware of the ripple effect, because every cause or attitude always generates its corresponding and similar effect.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
4.16 Not bad. I am not perfect, and I try to be aware of my flaws. . I have taken this course to learn (or improve) the way in which one can be resilient and compassionate, both for oneself and towards others.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Yeah right. The sense of purpose in work and life is evolving, rather than changing or redefining.
The fact of "elaborating" strategies is a need that arises from the awareness that one must evolve the purpose at work, so that it becomes more significant. When one realizes that their work produces some type of benefit (moral, cultural, professional, social,... -
Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Resilience can be defined as ... stay as aware as possible about what happens in us internally (body, mind, emotions) and in the environment and circumstances that surround us. More than just a "resistance", is to be aware that what you do, and in the environment where you do it, is within certain circumstances. These circumstances may be more or less...
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I have learned that at least one hour before sleeping one must "turn off the engines and keep planning by inertia". In addition, one should avoid problems, arguments, violent films or loud music, and heavy meals at least two hours before sleep. Additionally, one should leave any problem, concern or alteration out of the room. That helps a lot to get a good...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I see that, as a way to reinforce the stock of resources to "bounce back and forth" is to consider some ideas or concepts that maybe are a little abstract. I have seen two key concept words: complex and multiple, and prototyping life and the search for solutions contemplates that.
Since life and situations are by nature complex, we should think of equally...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
Definitely, the problem is not the problem, but the mentality models. To the indispensable recommendations on the stock of resources that we must have to be resilient, we should add the use of an updated intelligence that helps us see alternatives, and not stay inside the box. In fact, that box should not exist ... Recently the English entrepreneur Richard...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I completely agree with Kate Jurd's idea about the "bounce forward". It is to see a very inspirational facet. No doubt the analogies or metaphors help a lot to understand and internalize many knowledge. But I allow myself to propose the inclusive strategy of "bounce back / bounce forward", like a sequence. That is, bounce back when one sees the "danger" (to...
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I would like to point out that: the social and individual action of resilience implies a bidirectional (or multidirectional, more than a feedback, a feedback loop) of solidarity and compassion with the group.
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
I believe that we have all been victims of our own reckless instincts. As one constantly learns and matures - well, if one really proposes it - I think that one gradually visualizes some middle point between that one's own inner voice and prudence. I would like to say that this mid-point, that desired balance, is in itself a skill, an indication of resilience.
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Yes, Melissa! The keyword associated with resilience can be "alternative."
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Fernando Almarza Rísquez made a comment
This shows that resilience is or should be a constant habit, and implies a "current" use of intelligence, namely, the ability and willingness to generate and have several alternatives available to each situation. It is not only about giving answers to each potential situation, but about asking questions before each potential situation, projecting possible...
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Right, Wendy. That leads me to think that resources like Emotional Intelligence (Goleman) is a clear way to exercise resilience.
