[NOTE FROM THE EDITORS]
Calling Past and Future to the rescue of the Present
The META Foundation is a think tank addressing ecological, social and cultural challenges through multidisciplinary research and community-driven projects. In distinction to our more focused partnerships with academic and governmental organisations, our new Editorial platform leaps into topics from unexpected angles, hoping to catch them by surprise. This approach, loosely inspired by hunter-gatherer techniques, relies on its own devices to read environments and identify its prey. We are on the lookout for topics fertile with transformative potential to address crises of humanity at a time of increased technological disruption.
“Museum of Time” (2012) by Savinien Caracostea, a short film created during his studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
For our inaugural issue, we tracked the Museum. Its origins in Greek antiquity lead us to the notion of a “temple of the muses”, hosting the goddesses of arts and sciences. Yet museums as we know them today have only become popularized in the nineteenth century, a time of intense industrialism and colonialism. Today, they are going through an existential undoing, pressured to reverse colonial forces which looted valuable artworks from around the world, while being challenged by new virtual forms of real time culture-sharing and exchange. Additionally, they are facing new demands of addressing wider audiences, becoming more interactive, and transcending the walls of the buildings through public works. More ephemeral shows such as performance art or dance are becoming more popular in contrast to traditional exhibits.
As many new museums are actively being built, and some are expanding to house even larger collections and diverse programming, others are taking a different route, moving away from operating physical spaces to curating traveling exhibits and maintaining online programming and resources.
Patterns in travel and tourism are shifting from major global cities toward a broader array of destinations, as travelers seek localized cultural experiences. Advances in technology and digital curation challenge the necessity of centralized institutions, while ethical and historical considerations emphasize the importance of restitution. As heritage sites and regional museums gain prominence, artworks returning to their places of origin enhance the authenticity of these destinations, bringing economic and cultural revitalization. Museums may evolve from being centralized repositories to dynamic platforms that facilitate global access while respecting the integrity of cultural narratives. This shift reflects a broader rethinking of cultural access—one that values context, community, and ethical stewardship alongside the evolving landscape of travel.
Meanwhile, a completely new kind of opportunistic “museum” is rapidly popularizing — thinly veiled tourist attractions offering “immersive experiences” meant to look good when photographed. The muses are running for the exits.
— Savinien Caracostea
When I first encountered the META Foundation over a year ago, I was captivated by its vision—a vision that speaks to the urgency of ecological, social, and cultural transformation. Reaching out felt like an inevitable step, one that’s led to a rich collaboration in shaping this editorial platform.
Together, we’ve ventured into conversations with remarkable voices, delving deep into the complexities of our time. We've curated a platform where ideas can unfold freely, where we can question, challenge, and explore.
This is a space built on collaboration and curiosity—one that I hope will continue to evolve, just as the issues we tackle do. I’m grateful to contribute to this journey. Our work here is just one step in a larger conversation and I’m eager to see where it takes us.
— Naz Özbek
“Today, museums are going through an existential undoing, pressured to reverse colonial forces which looted valuable artworks from around the world, while being challenged by new virtual forms of real time culture-sharing and exchange.”
— META Foundation