Museums, Objects and Collections: A Cultural Study by Susan M. Pearce (15-Dec-1993) Paperback

by Susan M. Pearce

This book examines the historical context of museums, their collections, the objects that form them, and the meaning interpreted from them. Pearce probes the reasons people collect and identifies three methods of collecting. The author considers how museum professionals set policies of collection management; acquire, study, and exhibit objects; and make meaning of the objects in their care.

Genres: Nonfiction, Museums, Museology, Art

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Susan M. Pearce is Professor Emeritus of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. Her research interests have always concentrated on Material Culture, particularly human relationships with the artefact world and the nature and process of collecting. She studied history and archaeology at Oxford University and then worked on the curatorial staff at the National Museums on Merseyside and Exeter City Museum. She joined the Department in 1984 and was appointed Director in 1989, Professor of Museum Studies in 1992, Dean of the Arts Faculty in 1996 and Pro-vice chancellor in 2000. Susan M. Pearce was also President of the Museums Association 1992-1994.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearce makes a philosophical explication of how material functions within museum collections. The author defends museums as collection – that is, object centered – institutions, and argues that museums should be concerned with the creating and facilitating special experiences through its collections, which is why it is important to understand how the museum and its collections function at all their various levels. Pearce begins by examining the nature of material culture – asking what an object is, what creates an artifact, and how materiality objectively anchors time, as an authentic or “real” object, or as a signifier. Furthermore, Pearce discusses how value and ownership is assigned to objects, and explores different types of investments made in the collection of material culture, including: financial, sport, extension of self, control, and a tool for shaping the world. Pearce identifies three forms of collecting, namely: 1. Souvenir, 2. Fetish, 3. Systematic. Pearce then turns her attention to how museums create meaning with their collections, which Pearce categorizes as function, structure, and history (which might have sacred/religious tones, be considered treasure, or be regarded as a historical witness). The way objects are experienced can be active, giving objects agency in a relational exchange. However, Pearce acknowledges the problems of power relations and shifting ideological paradigms.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 1: Museums, Objects and Collections

[Britt C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially this was right up my alley - but as I got into it, it was far to philosophical and focused on theory. Not really related to my interests currently and a very heavy thing to get through.