[M.E.N.]

Apart from having an intriguing acronym, this museum appears to be living an intriguing life.

An ethnographical museum with the personality of an art museum.

Intuitive, provocative, against stereotypes, with a critical view on things and a sense of humor.

And this is the impression I got by only visiting its site.

The story of this museum dates back to the 18th c. when the general Charles Daniel de Meuron opened his Cabinet of Curiosities to the public (1795).

In 1904 the ethnographical collection moved to the villa de Pury, and was extended two times with the addition of two other buildings (1955 and 1986).

Its collection consists of app. 30.000 objects and represents all continents.

But what is interesting is the way the museum chooses to present its collection to the public.

Although I have never visited any of them, their topics, their posters/publications seem very promising and already tickle my imagination.

And this is something to be expected by a museum that expresses its exhibition intentions in the following way.

"Exposer, c'est troubler l'harmonie. 

Exposer, c'est déranger le visiteur dans son confort intellectuel.

Exposer, c'est susciter des émotions, des colères, des envies d'en savoir plus. 

Exposer, c'est construire un discours spécifique au musée, fait d'objets, de textes et d'iconographie. 

Exposer, c'est mettre les objets au service d'un propos théorique, d'un discours ou d'une histoire et non l'inverse. 

Exposer, c'est suggérer l'essentiel à travers la distance critique, marquée d'humour, d'ironie et de dérision. 

Exposer, c'est lutter contre les idées reçues, les stéréotypes et la bêtise. 

Exposer, c'est vivre intensément une expérience collective..."