Culture of Donation – The Mikula Mollusc Collection
Culture of Donation – The Mikula Mollusc Collection
Croatian Natural History Museum, 8 March – 1 May 2018
Private natural history collections and individual specimens possess significant scientific and cultural value. Recognizing the importance of their protection and preservation, the Croatian Natural History Museum presents an exhibition dedicated to the culture of donation.
To promote this generous act, the exhibition features the museum’s most recently donated collection—the mollusc collection of Miroslav Mikula from Zagreb. A retired university professor of electrical engineering, Professor Mikula devoted his free time to collecting mollusc shells (gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods, and other smaller groups) throughout Croatia, as well as in exotic countries such as Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Although not a biologist by profession, he paid great attention to the taxonomy of molluscs, and accordingly organized the collection systematically. The collection contains several thousand shell specimens representing several hundred species, including a number of rare and endemic species that add to its scientific value. Alongside the mollusc collection, the donation also includes other natural history specimens (sponges, corals, crustaceans, echinoderms, fish, and fossils), as well as literature related to the donated material.
Through hundreds of fascinating exhibits displayed in the same way they were originally arranged by the donor, visitors are introduced to the diversity and beauty of molluscs, together with interesting information about their biology, ecology, and distribution.
In addition to the collection itself, a special section of the exhibition is devoted to introducing visitors to the concept of the culture of donation. The exhibition aims to encourage active participation in building and enriching museum collections. Donations have often served as the foundation for establishing museums in Croatia, and the Croatian Natural History Museum itself acquired a significant portion of its original collections through donations.
Exhibition Credits
Concept: Petar Crnčan and Dr. Iva Mihoci
Exhibition Author: Petar Crnčan
Graphic Design: Nikša Martinac
Exhibition Design: Petar Crnčan
Photography: Nives Borčić
Technical Realization: Petar Crnčan, Krešimir Novak, Mario Galov, Denis Bućan
PR and Marketing: Branimir Ivić and Martin Glavinić
Printing: Printgrupa d.o.o.
The exhibition was financially supported by the City Office for Culture of the City of Zagreb.