New Museum Theory and Practice
An Introduction
1. Edition August 2005
348 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
New Museum Theory and Practice is an original collection of essays with a unique focus: the contested politics and ideologies of museum exhibition.
* Contains 12 original essays that contribute to the field while creating a collective whole for course use.
* Discusses theory through vivid examples and historical overviews.
* Offers guidance on how to put theory into practice.
* Covers a range of museums around the world: from art to history, anthropology to music, as well as historic houses, cultural centres, virtual sites, and commercial displays that use the conventions of the museum.
* Authors come from the UK, Canada, the US, and Australia, and from a variety of fields that inform cultural studies.
Preface: How to Use this Book x
Acknowledgments xii
Introduction 1
Janet Marstine
Part I Defining New Museum Theory 37
A Surveys and Groundwork 39
1 Editor's Introduction 41
THE ARCHITECTURE IS THE MUSEUM 41
Michaela Giebelhausen
Questions for Discussion 60
2 Editor's Introduction 64
FEMINIST CURATORIAL STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES SINCE THE 1970s 65
Katy Deepwell
Questions for Discussion 80
3 Editor's Introduction 85
NEW ART, NEW CHALLENGES: THE CHANGING FACE OF CONSERVATION IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY 86
Rachel Barker and Patricia Smithen
Questions for Discussion 103
B Case Studies in Contemporary Practice 107
4 Editor's Introduction 109
HOW WE STUDY HISTORY MUSEUMS: OR CULTURAL STUDIES AT MONTICELLO 109
Eric Gable
Questions for Discussion 126
5 Editor's Introduction 129
SPECTACLE AND DEMOCRACY: EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT AS A POST-MUSEUM 130
Chris Bruce
Questions for Discussion 149
6 Editor's Introduction 152
REVEALING AND CONCEALING: MUSEUMS, OBJECTS, AND THE TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE IN ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA 153
Moira G. Simpson
Questions for Discussion 174
7 Editor's Introduction 178
RESTRUCTURING SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUMS: REALITY AND RHETORIC WITHIN CAPE TOWN 179
Julie L. McGee
Questions for Discussion 196
Part II Looking to the Future: Theory into Practice 201
8 Editor's Introduction 203
THE CRITICAL MUSEUM VISITOR 203
Margaret Lindauer
Questions for Discussion 223
9 Editor's Introduction 226
VISITING THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM: ART AND EXPERIENCE ONLINE 226
Lianne McTavish
Questions for Discussion 244
10 Editor's Introduction 247
REFRAMING STUDIO ART PRODUCTION AND CRITIQUE 248
Helen Klebesadel
Questions for Discussion 263
11 Editor's Introduction 266
THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM AND GALLERY: A SITE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CRITIQUE AND A FOCUS OF THE CURRICULUM 267
Lyndel King and Janet Marstine
Questions for Discussion 288
12 Editor's Introduction 292
MUSEUM ARCHIVES AS RESOURCES FOR SCHOLARLY RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY 293
Lois Marie Fink
Questions for Discussion 306
Bibliography 308
Index 322
the gamut of 'new' museum theory and practice. The
essays in this book are diverse, but together they suggest
virtually all of the recent major intellectual and political shifts
within the museum world." (Museum Anthropology, Summer
2008)
"This book is inspiring and ... offers an excellent vision
of why and how the museum will matter more in the 21st
century." (Muse)
"This book offers a fresh approach to teaching museum studies
- combining a synoptic view of prevailing museum theories
with pragmatic end of chapter review questions."
-Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan, New York University
"An excellent book for students of museums. In developing
a creative and effective analytical toolkit for critical museum
visitors, this original volume will also prove essential for
aspiring museum professionals."
-Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, University of Leicester
