"The term museum harks back to the Greek origin of the institution as the abode of the muses, a place of learning and inspiration." In the modern and contemporary worlds, museums have become significant institutions where art can be viewed and studied. As a result of becoming known as elitist institutions, museums have attempted to develop a broader, popular and more diverse appeal. They have repackaged many of their collections, and have developed in-depth educational programs--along with many other initiatives. Is the museum, however, beginning to lose the power it once enjoyed--that being the power to define art? Has the widespread use of the internet democratized are to a point where the museums are losing their hold on public opinion? If so, do you see this as a positive development? Why or why not?
This is an intriguing question, Jill. Many museums have responded to the challenge of controlling art history by putting on Blockbuster shows. Of course, the price of those shows is not exacted in currency alone, as many museums started looking to corporate sponsorship to support those shows. Thus, as I see it, it may not just be the internet that denigrates scholarship, but yielding control of ideas to the economic pressures of the corporate elite may be just as bad. Your thoughts?
I think museums still hold the main power of defining what art is, although unfortunately they have become very dependent on temporary exhibitions to hold the general public interest (except a few major ones whose permanent collection is outstanding). As nowadays economy rules the world and museums are a great turistic attraction, they are compelled to call public attention by any means. Internet is still a tricky and unreliable medium to define art and I don't consider it "democratic" as one never knows who is behind each news. Internet has made art accesible to everyone and that is positive, but is also more a window to extravagance and anarchism than scholar art.
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