Cabinets for the Curious

Looking Back at Early English Museums

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book Cabinets for the Curious by Ken Arnold, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ken Arnold ISBN: 9781351953597
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Ken Arnold
ISBN: 9781351953597
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The last few years has, within museums, witnessed nothing short of a revolution. Worried that the very institution was itself in danger of becoming a dusty, forgotten, culturally irrelevant exhibit, vigorous efforts have been made to reshape the museum mission. Fearing that history was coming to be ignored by modern society, many institutions have instead marketed a de-intellectualised heritage, overly relying on computer technology to captivate a contemporary audience. The theme of this work is that we can do much to reassess the rationale that inspires contemporary collections through a study of seventeenth century museums. England's first museums were quite literally wonderful; founded that is on the disciplined application of the faculty of wonder. The type of wonder employed was not that post-Romantic idea of disbelief, but rather an active form of curiosity developed during the Renaissance, particularly by the individuals who set about gathering objects and founding museums to further their enquiries. The argument put forward in this book is that this museological practice of using objects actually to create, as well as disseminate knowledge makes just as much sense today as it did in the seventeenth century and, further, that the best way of reinvigorating contemporary museums, is to return to that form of wonder. By taking such a comparative approach, this book works both as a scholarly historical text, and as an historically informed analysis of the key issues facing today's museums. As such, it will prove essential reading both for historians of collecting and museums, and for anyone interested in the philosophies of modern museum management.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The last few years has, within museums, witnessed nothing short of a revolution. Worried that the very institution was itself in danger of becoming a dusty, forgotten, culturally irrelevant exhibit, vigorous efforts have been made to reshape the museum mission. Fearing that history was coming to be ignored by modern society, many institutions have instead marketed a de-intellectualised heritage, overly relying on computer technology to captivate a contemporary audience. The theme of this work is that we can do much to reassess the rationale that inspires contemporary collections through a study of seventeenth century museums. England's first museums were quite literally wonderful; founded that is on the disciplined application of the faculty of wonder. The type of wonder employed was not that post-Romantic idea of disbelief, but rather an active form of curiosity developed during the Renaissance, particularly by the individuals who set about gathering objects and founding museums to further their enquiries. The argument put forward in this book is that this museological practice of using objects actually to create, as well as disseminate knowledge makes just as much sense today as it did in the seventeenth century and, further, that the best way of reinvigorating contemporary museums, is to return to that form of wonder. By taking such a comparative approach, this book works both as a scholarly historical text, and as an historically informed analysis of the key issues facing today's museums. As such, it will prove essential reading both for historians of collecting and museums, and for anyone interested in the philosophies of modern museum management.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Management in the Education Service by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Creative Learning in Higher Education by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Greenland and the International Politics of a Changing Arctic by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Balance of Payments by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Property and Sovereignty by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Chinese Minorities at home and abroad by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Framing Terrorism by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Marketing Geography (RLE Retailing and Distribution) by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Rethinking the Welfare Rights Movement by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Using Computers in History by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Agriculture and EU Environmental Law by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Science and Psychology by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Globalisation, FDI, Regional Integration and Sustainable Development by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book The Public Services under Reconstruction by Ken Arnold
Cover of the book Marx and Mead (RLE Social Theory) by Ken Arnold
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy