ABSTRACT
Since the late nineteenth century, museums have been cited as tools of imperialism and colonialism, as strongholds of patriarchalism, masculinism, homophobia and xenophobia, and accused both of elitism and commercialism. But, could the museum absorb and benefit from its critique, turning into a critical museum, into the site of resistance rather than ritual? This book looks at the ways in which the museum could use its collections, its cultural authority, its auratic space and resources to give voice to the underprivileged, and to take an active part in contemporary and at times controversial issues. Drawing together both major museum professionals and academics, it examines the theoretical concept of the critical museum, and uses case studies of engaged art institutions from different parts of the world. It reaches beyond the usual focus on western Europe, America, and ’the World’, including voices from, as well as about, eastern European museums, which have rarely been discussed in museum studies books so far.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|84 pages
Histories
chapter 2|16 pages
‘The Contemporary Museum is a Laboratory of Knowledge'
chapter 5|16 pages
Jerzy Ludwiński's Testing of the Dysfunction of the Museum
part II|96 pages
Tools: Objects, Space, Viewing Practices
chapter 7|14 pages
From the White Cube to a Critical Museography
chapter 10|16 pages
Historical Space and Critical Museologies
part III|52 pages
Critique