Description

Book Synopsis
Museums can work to reproduce ideologies and confirm the existing order of things, or as instruments of social reform. Yet objects in museums can exceed their designated roles as documents or specimens. In this wideranging and original book, Michelle Henning explores how historical and contemporary museums and exhibitions restage the relationship between people and material things. In doing so, they become important sites for the development of new forms of experience, memory and knowledge.

Henning reveals how museums can be theorised as a form of media. She discusses both historical and contemporary examples, from cabinets of curiosity, through the avant-garde exhibition design of Lissitzy and Bayer; the experimental museums of Paul Otlet and Otto Neurath; to science centres; immersive and virtual museums; and major developments such as Guggenheim Bilbao, Tate Modern in London and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

Museums, Media and Cultural Theory

Table of Contents
Series Editor's foreword

Introduction

Object

Display

Media

Public

Archive

Museums Media and Cultural Theory

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    A Paperback / softback by Michelle Henning

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      Book details

      Publisher Open University Press
      Published 16 November 2005
      ISBN-13 9780335214198
      978-0335214198
      ISBN-10 335214193
      Also in:
      Industry and industrial studies Dictionaries, Reference & Language Museology and heritage studies

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Museums can work to reproduce ideologies and confirm the existing order of things, or as instruments of social reform. Yet objects in museums can exceed their designated roles as documents or specimens. In this wideranging and original book, Michelle Henning explores how historical and contemporary museums and exhibitions restage the relationship between people and material things. In doing so, they become important sites for the development of new forms of experience, memory and knowledge.

      Henning reveals how museums can be theorised as a form of media. She discusses both historical and contemporary examples, from cabinets of curiosity, through the avant-garde exhibition design of Lissitzy and Bayer; the experimental museums of Paul Otlet and Otto Neurath; to science centres; immersive and virtual museums; and major developments such as Guggenheim Bilbao, Tate Modern in London and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

      Museums, Media and Cultural Theory

      Table of Contents
      Series Editor's foreword

      Introduction

      Object

      Display

      Media

      Public

      Archive

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