Curating Buddhism and the Western Gaze

Abstract (EN)

Buddhism is a complex term that describes both a religion and a compendium of lifestyles, values and practices, and it is experiencing increasing commodification. This thesis examines the intricacies of curating Buddhism in an exhibition in a Western context, namely from the „Western Gaze". The methodology includes a literature review and the analysis of two exhibitions showcasing Buddhist-read artitacts and objects in Vienna, Austria. This paper aims to analyze and compare the curatorial concepts of each, with the research focus on the presentation of Buddhist items. The research question investigates which curatorial decisions influence how Buddhist objects are presented in an exhibition in the context of a Western museum. To examine these layers, the thesis deals with the terms and concepts of spirituality, religiosity and sacredness in the context of curating. Conclusions include the importance of approachability and empathy towards the exhibition visitors and the complications of presenting Buddhist objects in a permanent exhibition reproducing colonial power dynamics and hierarchies between objects and viewers.