A new micro-exhibition on view in the MOV Studio

Feels a bit premature to talk about remembering the COVID-19 pandemic, doesn’t it?

We think so too. But it’s not too early to start collecting objects that will tell future generations about this catastrophe that continues to have a massive impact on our lives and on our city.

This micro-exhibition features over 20 objects recently acquired for the permanent collection at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV). These acquisitions represent a wide range of COVID-19 moments and lived experiences. “COVID collecting” will continue for many years, but “rapid-response collecting” is needed now to preserve objects that may be difficult to locate once the pandemic is over. These objects, small and large, mundane and exceptional, will helps us reflect on, make sense of and hopefully learn from this public health crisis that has rocked our world.

This project highlights MOV’s role in documenting developments and moments that shape Greater Vancouver as they occur. It also presents an opportunity to thank the people who donate objects to MOV so we can build a meaningful collection reflective of diverse communities.

Explore the Objects

Objects on display touch on themes of adaptation, solidarity, courage, and more. Click on the link below to see more recent COVID-19 related acquisitions on the museum's online database.

WHAT TO COLLECT

The museum is on the lookout for objects that are specific to actions, moments and experiences that took place during the pandemic and point to the gravity and magnitude of the event. MOV is particularly interested in objects with stories behind them: ones that reveal the resourcefulness, the resilience, the solidarity, but also the vulnerability and vast disparities of experiences of communities in Vancouver. If you have any suggestions about objects MOV should acquire for its COVID-19 collection, follow the link below to submit your object suggestion. You can also do so on social media by tagging your object in a post with #MOVcollectsCOVID19.

#IsolatingTogetherMOV and the SFU School of Interactive Arts & Technology

To learn about and document how Vancouverites adapted to the limitations and opportunities of quarantine life, in May 2020 MOV created a digital platform that invited people to talk about their new reality through stories, testimonies, performances, art and confessions. Hundreds of people posted videos, texts and photos on Instagram using the hashtag #IsolatingTogetherMOV. The stories people shared and continue to share are moving, humorous and, at times, surprising. They speak of a desire to connect and to show resilience.

Another offshoot of the pandemic was the creation of an entire university course built around #IsolatingTogetherMOV. As part of their Moving Images course led by Prof. Kate Hennessy, Simon Fraser University students from the School of Interactive Arts & Technologies (SIAT) developed a series of micro-documentaries depicting personal experiences of isolation. Forced to work from home, alone, in various parts of the world and with little access to sophisticated film equipment, these students developed new storytelling abilities. Entries can be viewed on this wall and on MOV’s YouTube channel.

 This initiative has prompted MOV to start collecting digital culture as well.

Highlight Video