Museums and the Making of "Ourselves": The Role of Objects in National Identity - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 071851775X ISBN 13: 9780718517755

Publisher: Pinter Pub Ltd, 1994

Synopsis

In exploring the relationship between "ourselves" and material culture this volume places museums in an historical perspective, and as part of a political process of democratisation. The spread of museums in the 19th century was stimulated by burgeoning science and capitalism in the West; and into the 20th century by industrialisation the eventual demise of colonialism, and increasing demand for public education. Those now rethinking the missions, ethics, roles and responsibilities of museums, must first know their own history and its uses.
This volume presents 14 original case studies from as many countries, written by archaeologists, anthropologists, art historians, historians, and museologists. It sees museums, their collections, and exhibitions as both products and agents of social change, and suggests museums themselves be analysed as important social institutions - where contested access to means of publicly defining self, cultural and national identity takes place - among elites, would-be elites, ethnic, and other constituent groups in society. Also chronicled are the important roles objects play in forging nation-states, in promoting national agendas and in embodying the values and very "idea" of a group or a people.
Collectively, these essays form a valuable study for anyone interested in the relationship between museums, objects and the creation of cultural and national identity.

About this title

Synopsis

Using an historical perspective, whilst also putting forward modern viewpoints, this volume explores the relationship between art and material culture. It presents case studies of some of the ways in which national cultural haeritage was and still is being created and moulded into collective views of the state, its regions, municipalities, constituent groups and values.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pinter Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071851775X
• ISBN 13: 9780718517755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 430
• Editor: Kaplan Flora Edouwaye S.