The Museum of 2020 is a campaign launched by charity The Young Foundation to ask the public to share a photograph of an object that sums up 2020 for them. The selection includes everything from baked goods, to a favourite bench, a broken chair to a glitterball, and much more.
Anyone can participate in the project simply by sharing their image on social media, using the hashtag #Museumof2020 and explaining why that object sums up 2020 for them. The Young Foundation will collate these for a virtual exhibition in 2021 that explores our changing relationship with 'stuff' and how we come to understand our collective experiences through objects, rather than discussion.
Helen Goulden, CEO at The Young Foundation, comments:
“2020 has been a year of immense upheaval, loss and change for everyone and this has changed the things and objects we value. It has meant us needing and relying on things that we wouldn’t have imagined before Covid-19 came along. Masks are the most obvious example of this. But we know that there are thousands of other objects which have taken on a new meaning for people in 2020. Those objects will be different, because of people’s different and unequal experiences of the pandemic - and we’d love you to share yours!. What will you put in the Museum of 2020?”
To get involved, simply upload your photograph of the object that will always remind you of 2020 and share it on Twitter using the hashtag #Museumof2020. Follow the live submissions via the hashtag.
. 3.JPG
“I made far too many of these this year, but lightly toasted with some smooth peanut butter helped get us through lockdown." - Banana bread donated to The Young Foundation’s #Museumof2020 by Ajeet Jugnauth Photo: Ajeet Jugnauth
. 1.jpg
Nominated for the #Museumof2020 by The Young Foundation’s CEO Helen Goulden: “I've spent most of my waking year in this now sagging and broken chair.” Photo: Helen Goulden
1. 1.jpg
Nominated for the #Museumof2020 by The Young Foundation’s CEO Helen Goulden: “I've spent most of my waking year in this now sagging and broken chair.” Photo: Helen Goulden
2. 2.jpg
Submission to the #Museumof2020 by Emily Morrison, Head of The Institute for Community Studies: “A glitterball. At the start of the first lockdown we hung a glitterball in our lounge so we could try and make every night feel like the nights out we were missing.” Photo: Emily Morrison
3. 4.jpg
For The Young Foundation’s #Museumof2020 by Rosie Farrer: “My battered and bruised headphones that have seen me through many a video call and helped me to stay connected to friends, family, clients and colleagues. I’m very grateful for that connection especially when I know not everyone can get online easily.” Photo: Rosie Farrer
4. 6.jpeg
“My entry to the #museumof2020 is my pair of Technics SL 1210 Mk2s. Rediscovered playing music for friends over Zoom which has kept us connected and dancing.” - A donation to The Young Foundation’s Museum of 2020 by Raspberry Pi CEO Philip Colligan Photo: Philip Colligan