Mining The HMNS: An Investigation by The Natural History Museum
An Exhibition @ Project Row Houses, March 26 – June 20
Is the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences a museum, or a PR front for the fossil fuel industry? This is the central question of “Mining the HMNS”, an exhibition by The Natural History Museum that interrogates the symbiotic relationship between the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences and its corporate sponsors. The exhibition excavates key narratives and displays in the Houston museum, and highlights the voices and stories that are excluded–those of the low-income predominantly Latino and African-American fence-line communities along the Houston Ship Channel. Communities that are already overburdened by the dangerous levels of emissions by the industries that surround them.
In partnership with The Natural History Museum, t.e.j.a.s will co-host monthly “Toxic Tours” of East Houston’s petrochemical plants and refineries, and conduct extensive air quality monitoring tests in collaboration with scientists from Texas State University. Situated at the confluence of scientific research, environmental justice, and critical museum practice, the exhibition aims to model the museum of the future–one that works to mobilize a collective response to the challenges of the Anthropocene.
Toxic Tours take place on the first Saturday of every month.
April 2, May 7, and June 4
10am – 12:30pm
Meet @ Project Row Houses
2521 Holman St, Houston