17 January 2020

“Tristram Hunt seems to be exploring the issues some of us started to raise twenty years ago as if they are new. Contested narratives and ownership, etc. But a welcome improvement on the monotonously presumptive and culturally hegemonistic voice of Neil MacGregor.” Tristram Besterman

BBC Radio Four, Curating the Future

Origins

Episode 1 of 3
Museums have never been more popular around the world or faced such sustained criticism. While the Louvre enjoys record-breaking visitor numbers, Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island builds a new museum campus for the Middle East and blockbusters from Leonardo to Van Gogh to David Bowie circle the globe, museums are also under challenge. Critics questions historic claims to neutrality, call for the repatriation of colonial-era artefacts and protest over the origins of sponsors' money.
V&A Director Tristram Hunt begins the series by looking back at the origins of some of the world's oldest museums and galleries, including those founded to tell the story of a nation, to display a royal or colonial collection or to promote technical and educational improvement.
At the Tokyo National Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford and in conversation with the Director of the Rijksmuseum, Tristram asks how foundational ideals can be managed in the post-colonial contemporary world.

To listen follow the link here.

Museums Are Not Neutral
Episode 2 of 3

Museums and galleries remain hugely popular but also face increasing criticism over who visits, who pays and what's on display.
In an era of identity politics, V&A Director Tristram Hunt asks what future museums have when there is no greater sin than 'cultural appropriation', nationalism and nativism decry the multi-cultural stories that galleries tell, and the role of 'experts' is questioned.
With Directors of museums and galleries in London, Derby and Mumbai, Tristram discusses how best to attract new audiences and whether museums should try to promote social justice, transforming their traditional role. He also considers claims that 'Museums Are Not Neutral', explores the co-curation of exhibitions and asks whether 'lived experience’ is as valuable as curatorial knowledge.

To listen follow the link here

Museum of the Future
Episode 3 of 3

In an increasingly digital world, museums are responding to calls for greater digital access and the potential of immersive technology. With the Directors of the Tate, National Gallery and British Museum, Tristram asks whether digital technology undermines or enhances the role and function of museums and galleries. How important is the aura of authenticity or are visitors now more interested in downloading a Rembrandt or Vermeer ?
And, as financial power heads east to the Gulf and China, Tristram explores the wonders of some of the world's newest museums and galleries asks how older institutions can compete.

To listen follow the link here.

How does an institution in the business of preserving the past prepare itself for the interests and sensibilities of the future? Where do museums fit in the national psyche?

In this episode of Worldview, host Adam Boulton is joined by director of the V&A Tristram Hunt, Professor Armand D'Angour (BCRPM member), and author Dr. Tiffany Jenkins to discuss what the future might hold for museums.

Tristram Hunt explains there is so much to be gained by understanding museum objects, the importance of open conversation, and the need to do more for art and design education. He also stresses the importance of provenance and that there are further conversations to be had with museums.

Armand D'Angour, now also a BCRPM member spoke passionately about the Parthenon Marbles and the opportunities for the British Museum to have a relevant display in Room 18, one that would appeal to today's museum visitors as they continue to be educated by the storytelling.

Tiffany Jenjkins spoke about 'repatriation' but was keen to stress the need for museums to kindle curiosity of past cultures, that the British Museum's ability to do this with many different cultures made it extra special as our curiosities deserve to be ignited and enlightened.

It was uplifting to hear Tiffany Jenkins say that one of her favourite museums was the Acropolis Museum.

The re-imagining of museum spaces when some artefacts are returned to their country of origin, is a great opportunity to open up the dialogue between communities, turning the storytelling holistic, engaging, and educational. Time to achieve that for the Parthenon Marbles.