This blog is set up to record the progression of an art history seminar at Franklin & Marshall College in the spring semester, 2010.
This seminar involves students in curatorial practice from two inter-related perspectives. The first is the "hands-on" work essential to the professional operations of museums and galleries: researching objects, doing conditions reports, accessioning objects, learning how to handle and pack objects, issues of lighting and display, planning exhibitions, writing wall labels and catalogue entries, developing floor plans.
The second is through the critical examination of curation in the context of recent debates concerning the function of museums in the 21st century; the role of the curator and the exhibition, the relationship of objects and settings (museums, galleries, non-traditional spaces), objects (including but not limited to fine art) and the significance of their "display."
Many of the discussions are based on the surveillance issue in Lancaster and the seminar will culminate into an exhibition that aims at presenting this issue to the College and the communities.
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To add to the introduction above, the seminar also examines the emerging role of museums as forums that catalyze public debate on issues critical to civil society--such as surveillance. We became interested in this topic because it affects our campus, as well as the broader community. Yet genuine debate seems to be oddly subdued. We are interested in why that might be. We are also interested in why museums are becoming such important institutions to public culture, almost like the town commons. Is it because other institutions of democracy are withering?
ReplyDeleteThank you to the Phillips Museum of F&M College for encouraging this exhibition.
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ReplyDeleteLEILA'S IDEA - THE PANOPTICON GALLERY EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR PURPOSE
ReplyDeleteSee this link for more information about this design/layout:
http://cartome.org/panopticon1.htm
I would like to talk more about this during out discussion later!