New Museology

Peter Vergo

From Shelf: History of Art

A collection of essays discussing critical issues of museum history, theory and practice.

Traditionally, museums have concerned themselves with foremost with conservation and classification. But what is conserved, and why? How is it classified? And who does this benefit? Are exhibitions really designed with the visitor in mind? And what qualities of experience are being offered? These are just some of the pressing questions which the authors - museum professionals, historians and critics - raise in this volume. Art collections, museums of childhood, science and photography, theme parks and 'time machines', and the Great Exhibitions are among the diverse subjects discussed. As a collection of critical views of museum history, theory and practice, "The New Museology" is of interest not only to those in the museum profession, but to all those concerned with society's attitude to its own history and culture.