This week’s readings, specifically Resonance and Wonder, were very interesting to consider in relation to multiple exhibitions I visited at the Fowler Museum on the UCLA Campus. The Fowler aims to be a cutting edge museum that works with communities to integrate their own ideas into curated exhibit. Though they do not always accomplish this goal, their attempt to challenge historical methods of curating reflects the openness that Greenblatt discusses.
This newer approach to curating museum spaces has led to the creation of two exhibits, one on maps and one on the cabinets of curiosity that are discussed in the Greenblatt article. I believe that the acknowledgement of the cabinets of curiosity by the Fowler opens a space for discussion, and prompts the subject of wonder to be about the museum as an institution. By allowing the audience to be critical of the museum as an institution, I believe it opens a space for people to consider the objects both in the context of their culture, but also in the context of their history. Opening this space is crucial for individuals to gain a more complete understanding of the histories if the objects and the people that objects belong to. This space also allows individuals to consider the relationship that the museum has with the people who it aims to represent.
The Fowler also has exhibits, like the exhibit on Zuni Maps, which aim to completely integrate both the people and the objects that a culture presents in a museum. This particular exhibit was created in association with the artists and elders from the Zuni community to curate an exhibit that the community felt comfortable with. By integrating the voices of community members, the exhibit evokes wonder and openness in the experience because it allows for exposure to marginalized point of views.
These readings were effective to consider with relation to the Fowler Museum because it allowed me to contemplate the different approaches to curating museums and required me to be critical of the institution that I have attended since my freshman year at UCLA. I believe that the museum can utilize digital technology to enhance this integration both as a method of curating and as an aspect of the exhibition
I enjoyed reading your post! I’ve actually never been to the Fowler museum despite being here for two years already… anyway, the Fowler’s newer programs that you mentioned are really interesting in how they not only leave open for interpretation what the museum’s relationship is as an institution to museum-goers, but also how they allow for many directions of discussion to take place about exhibitions and objects. That’s something I think is pretty rare in institutions like the huge, “fancy” museums, so Fowler is doing a pretty good job!