Museums and the Act of Witnessing (Paperback)

Museums and the Act of Witnessing examines how representations of traumatic histories and the legacies of the twentieth century in museums and heritage sites across the world shape political, social and cultural identities. Drawing on an interdisciplinary analysis of a variety of museum exhibitions around the globe, the book demonstrates how the narrative of 'witnessing' has shaped representation of war, genocide, repression and violence. Revealing that this form of presentation is inherently Western in its origins and nature, Wilson goes on to argue that witnessing the past is to colonise the future, as we project a certain view of the events of the past onto the present. Detailing the character, content and meanings of representation that focus on the traumatic events of the twentieth century, the book demonstrates the way in which visitors are cast as 'witnesses' and questions what the true purpose of witnessing really is. Museums and the Act of Witnessing draws attention to the fact that we have inherited a distinct, and often limited, mode of seeing the past and considers how we can more effectively engage with the past in the present. The book will be of interest to academics and students engaged in the study of museums, history, sociology, conflict, politics and memory.

General

Imprint:	Routledge
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	October 2021
First published:	2022
Authors:	Ross J. Wilson
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 18mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	186
ISBN-13:	978-0-367-56951-8
Categories:	Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Museums & museology Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > Social sciences > Psychology > Cognition & cognitive psychology > Memory Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political ideologies > Imperialism Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Colonization & independence Books > Humanities > History > World history > From 1900 > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > History > World history > From 1900 > General Promotions
LSN:	0-367-56951-5
Barcode:	9780367569518

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