Student Exercise 4: Museum Display Critique
Group or individual project: Visit a museum and observe the displays of archaeological materials from South America. Call site or museum ahead of time to ask for class tour (often one can get discounts or free entrance by calling in advance, not to mention lectures by curators and other specialists. Don't forget to check on logistics, vehicles, insurance, food and drink regulations. This is even possible with a large class if well organized. A field trip to a museum can be accompanied by a set of questions or things to look for (see example that follows of a field trip handout) relating to the seven principles.). Pick 3 exhibits for which to do the following:
1. Describe what is displayed, what is being portrayed about the human past; be sure to note the specific material items and the text accompanying them.
2. Identify what specific human cultural systems or aspects of life are being interpreted, and which are not portrayed much or at all. What artifacts might be missing?
3. Determine the intended audience for the exhibit, and another audience for whom this exhibit might say much less. Is it an art exhibit, or archaeology, or history, or all these? What is the difference?
4. Decide what you would add, subtract, or change about the exhibit for different audiences. For a group project, each student can be a different kind of "stakeholder" understanding a different past (different ethnic groups, ages, genders, social "classes").
5. Note what might be the values expressed in the exhibit and whether it is addressing any concerns that are pertinent to today's world as well.
6. Does the exhibit say anything about the preservation ethic?
7. Are the text and placement of artifacts, landscape, and other items clearly communicating the message?