New Museum Theory and Practice

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.

List of Figures viii 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