ISS 25 (1995).pdf - The International Council of Museums

Given the fact that museums have an important place in cultural history, but they
are also critical places for the politics of history6, should they leave the cultural
and political agendas to shape the body of matters they study?
Museums are expected to provide education, spectacle, entertainment, relief. In their long
history, coping with issues and dilemmas has been an inspiring challenge for them. Amost
characteristic example has been their response to the political and intellectual turmoil of
late 1960's in France, through the development of the ecomuseum movement, which has
opened new paths in museologicalthinking.
The present-day situation demands from museum professionals a self-conscious reflection
over the very essence of their role, shaping eventually their own specific "identity" and
reconsidering their performance as mediators and/or as facilitators. A fresh look at the
job would lead to the consideration that risk-taking and confrontation, as well as shifting
from monologue to conversation, is probably a "sine qua non" parameter, if ever the
accomplishment of the democratic goals of presenting the contemporary social diversity
and multiculturalism is to take place.
Realizing though the political implications that exhibitions might cause, a careful
treatment of key notions like what is good and bad, superior and inferior, differences
and similarities, can be of positive consequence, given the influence of museums as
valorizing institutions.
Equally effective could be a strategy of avoiding any paternalistic manner in approaching
subjects i.e with the aim to guide the public towards conclusions which serve political
goals.
In this same context can be inscribed the striving for consensus and the exclusion of any
imposition of identity, as well as the abstention from overditerminated views.
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