I samlarens själ

Abstract

The paper is related to commercial culture in that a private collection is displayed in a public/commercial place where the collection is viewed by museum visitors. Collecting represents consumption in that collectible items are acquired, displayed, and disposed of. Collecting also represents production. A collector produces and redefines his/her collection over time, for example by arranging it differently. The collector also produces him/herself as a collector and relates him/herself to other collectors and collections. Collectors are embedded in consumer culture. In the article, an exhibition on collecting "The collector's soul" at Gävleborgs museum is discussed and related to theories on collecting. Also, the author who is a collector reflects upon experiences related to exhibiting her own collection of glass vases in the museum.

Keywords

• consumption
• konsumtion
• commercial culture
• museum
• display
• exhibit