Museums And The Making Of "Ourselves": The Role Of Objects In National Identity

In exploring the relationship between "ourselves" and material culture this volume places museums in an historical perspective, and as part of a political process of democratisation. The spread of museums in the 19th century was stimulated by burgeoning science and capitalism in the West; and into the 20th century by industrialisation the eventual demise of colonialism, and increasing demand for public education. Those now rethinking the missions, ethics, roles and responsibilities of museums, must first know their own history and its uses. This volume presents 14 original case studies from as many countries, written by archaeologists, anthropologists, art historians, historians, and museologists. It sees museums, their collections, and exhibitions as both products and agents of social change, and suggests museums themselves be analysed as important social institutions - where contested access to means of publicly defining self, cultural and national identity takes place - among elites, would-be elites, ethnic, and other constituent groups in society. Also chronicled are the important roles objects play in forging nation-states, in promoting national agendas and in embodying the values and very "idea" of a group or a people. Collectively, these essays form a valuable study for anyone interested in the relationship between museums, objects and the creation of cultural and national identity.