Description
Within the context of Western culture, the museum is still largely undisputed as the supreme authority on art, the keeper of the art-historical narrative. In this sense, they are often regarded as neutral presentation spaces. However, the museum environment is far from neutral, as many artists and theorists have pointed out over the past century. This course will take a philosophical approach to institutional critique, examining the ways in which the museum itself, as well as its practices (collecting, conserving, and exhibiting) shape the ways we understand what “art” is and how we value it. We will also consider various ethical issues that arise in museum practice, including whether and how to display objects originating from non-Western cultures. Theoretical readings from the Frankfurt School and various postmodern philosophers will make up the core material for this course; to get a different perspective on their ideas, we will also examine the work of artists who engage with or cr