From Museum Critique to the Critical Museum

Since the late nineteenth century museums have been cited as tools of imperialism and colonialism as strongholds of patriarchalism masculinism homophobia and xenophobia and accused both of elitism and commercialism. But could the museum absorb and benefit from its critique turning into a critical museum into the site of resistance rather than ritual? This book looks at the ways in which the museum could use its collections its cultural authority its auratic space and resources to give voice to the underprivileged and to take an active part in contemporary and at times controversial issues. Drawing together both major museum professionals and academics it examines the theoretical concept of the critical museum and uses case studies of engaged art institutions from different parts of the world. It reaches beyond the usual focus on western Europe America and ’the World’ including voices from as well as about eastern European museums which have rarely been discussed in museum studies books so far.