Punctum Books Museum of Nonhumanity

MUSEUM OF NONHUMANITY is a full-size museum that presents the history of the distinction between humans and animals, and the way that this artificial boundary has been used to oppress human and nonhuman beings. Throughout history, declaring a group to be nonhuman or subhuman has been an effective tool for justifying slavery, oppression and genocide. Conversely, differentiating humans from other species has paved the way for the abuse of natural resources and other animals.MUSEUM OF NONHUMANITY approaches animalization as a nexus that connects xenophobia, sexism, racism, transphobia, and the abuse of nature and other animals. The touring museum hosts lecture programs in which local civil rights and animal rights organizations, academics, artists, and activists propose paths to a more inclusive society through an intersectional approach. The touring museum also hosts a book shop and a vegan café. As an temporary, utopian institution, MUSEUM OF NONHUMANITY stands as a monument to the call to make animalization history. MUSEUM OF NONHUMANITY is the third project by Gustafsson&Haapoja, a collaboration between visual artist Terike Haapoja and author Laura Gustafsson. Laura Gustafsson is a Finnish author, scriptwriter, and playwright based in Helsinki. Her debut, a genre-bending fairytale and feminist pamphlet titled Huorasatu (2011, "Whorestory"), was nominated for the Finnish Book Foundation's Finlandia Prize. Anomalia (2013, "Anomaly") addresses the themes of language, violence, and the imaginary line between man and beast. Korpisoturi (2016, "Wilderness Warrior"), a story about the end of the world as we know it, was a Finnish export prize nominee. Her latest novel Pohja (2017, ”Ground”) is an autofiction/autopsy, and has been called a brave portrayal of female life. Gustafsson graduated with an MA from the Theatre Academy Helsinki. She has written a number of stage and radio plays. She also gives lectures on art and writing and is actively involved in public debate. Her works have been translated to German, French, and Turkish. Terike Haapoja is a visual artist based in New York. Haapoja’s large-scale installation work, writing, and political projects investigate the mechanics of othering with a specific focus on issues arising from the anthropocentric world view of western cultures.