WHALES AS MUSEALIZED OBJECT: BIOGRAPHIES OF SPECIMENS IN MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

Abstract

When whales are observed outside their natural habitat they are objectified. They can be contemplated as living beings in theme parks and aquariums, and when they are dead as museum artefacts in museological institutions. The purpose of this research is to understand historically how whales are exhibited in natural history museums and whale museums. From the analysis of some exhibitions in European and American museums, we have noticed three forms of musealization of the whale throughout the history of museums: the skeleton of the specimen assembled in anatomical connection, full size models and virtual displays of the whales.