For the Moluccan community in The Netherlands representation and emancipation are important matters. This thesis examines how one of the most renowned Dutch ethnology museums, the Museum of...Show moreFor the Moluccan community in The Netherlands representation and emancipation are important matters. This thesis examines how one of the most renowned Dutch ethnology museums, the Museum of Ethnology, has represented the Moluccas and the Moluccan people in its exhibitions between 1995 and the present-day. It also zooms in on how the museum has engaged with the colonial history of its Moluccas collection. Lastly, this thesis shows to what degree it has involved the Moluccan community in the creation of its Moluccas exhibitions.Show less
The Tokyo National Museum is considered to be the oldest national museum in Japan, finding its origins in the Yushima Seidō exposition of 1872. As such, the various changes of the institution...Show moreThe Tokyo National Museum is considered to be the oldest national museum in Japan, finding its origins in the Yushima Seidō exposition of 1872. As such, the various changes of the institution throughout its history give an impression of the development of the Japanese concept of a museum. This Master thesis takes a closer look at several historical examples of traditional Japanese exposition practices, the advent of the modern museum in Japan, and various Western influences on Japanese culture during the 19th and 20th century. By presenting this overview, this thesis aims to present a better understanding of significant cultural differences between traditional methods of display in the West and in Japan. By observing the historical development of the Tokyo National Museum, as well as the more modern installations which were part of the exposition celebrating the museum’s 150th anniversary, the institution provides a case study illustrating the confluence of non-Western traditional display practices and the Western concept of a modern museum.Show less
This MA thesis focuses on the three waves of Japanophilia that appeared in the United States between 1876 and 2011 by questioning how they came into being, why they changed/disappeared, and what...Show moreThis MA thesis focuses on the three waves of Japanophilia that appeared in the United States between 1876 and 2011 by questioning how they came into being, why they changed/disappeared, and what constituted their uniqueness. The appearance, display and promotion of Japanese visual arts and culture are considered in the context of shifting power dynamics in the world that altered according to political changes, military conflicts, economic booms/downfalls, and the globalisation of culture. As a primary goal, this thesis explores the identity of stakeholders who played an important role in importing and promoting Japanese art and culture into the United States. At the same time, the thesis elaborates on the nature of the imported, exhibited and consumed Japanese artistic and cultural products and the variety of the main platforms and events at which these appeared. Finally, in reflection to the various socio-cultural, economic and political events, the thesis examines how the inflow of Japanese art and culture have shaped American public opinion, and vice versa, in the past and the present with assumptions towards the possible future.Show less
The Chinese art and antiques market is to a large extent influenced by nationalism. In contrast to other governments, the Chinese government is not very successful in the repatriation of Chinese...Show moreThe Chinese art and antiques market is to a large extent influenced by nationalism. In contrast to other governments, the Chinese government is not very successful in the repatriation of Chinese cultural heritage. Therefore, it supports individuals to do so by rewarding those who step in. Nationalism nowadays is a very important value in Chinese society encouraged by the government. Part of that is also to encourage people to show their nationalism by means of buying art. Donors are also encouraged by the rewards they get for their donations. When an object that has been stolen from China comes up for sale it always attracts a lot of attention in China. This is especially the case when it originates from the Yuanmingyuan, a place connected to the humiliation of China. Many think the sale of stolen objects should be forbidden and if the government does not succeed in stopping the sale, people will try to buy it in order to repatriate it to China. Which can result in a bidding war in which the price reaches unrealistic heights. Individuals outside of mainland have used antiques to construct their Chinese identity and to strengthen their ties with China by among others donating stolen art. This is a way for them to show they support Chinese nationalism. Something that has had an influence on the buying behaviour of the overseas on the Chinese art and antique market. Since the beginning of the 2000s buyers from mainland China with the same purpose have entered the market. This has had an enormous influence on the Chinese art and antiques market. Thus, the Chinese art and antique market is to a large extent influenced by nationalism.Show less
De restauraties van de Alte Nationalgalerie en het Rijksmuseum hebben de gebouwen waarin de musea zich bevinden, teruggebracht naar de 19e-eeuwse staat. Daarnaast hebben ingrepen in de collectie en...Show moreDe restauraties van de Alte Nationalgalerie en het Rijksmuseum hebben de gebouwen waarin de musea zich bevinden, teruggebracht naar de 19e-eeuwse staat. Daarnaast hebben ingrepen in de collectie en de presentatie ervan plaatsgevonden. Deze scriptie onderzoekt in hoeverre en hoe deze veranderingen nationaal besef bij de bezoekers stimuleren en/of versterken.Show less
Research master thesis | Asian Studies (research) (MA)
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In 2013, the re-opened Nanjing Museum added the Gallery of the Scene of the Republican Period (abbreviated as the Republican Gallery) to its permanent exhibition. This research attempts to explore...Show moreIn 2013, the re-opened Nanjing Museum added the Gallery of the Scene of the Republican Period (abbreviated as the Republican Gallery) to its permanent exhibition. This research attempts to explore the curatorial aim by examining the conceptualization of this exhibition hall. It suggests that the Republican Gallery has simplified the nature of Republican China and presented a selected, idealized Republican street view which the public is familiar with through mass media. By examining the Republican Gallery, the research expects to achieve a better understanding of the connection between memory and museums.Show less
This dissertation considers Scotland's response to the 2007 bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, in the context of memory and museum studies. It considers to what degree...Show moreThis dissertation considers Scotland's response to the 2007 bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, in the context of memory and museum studies. It considers to what degree Scotland's response was aligned to an agenda of social justice - and how Scotland is slowly 'waking up' to its slavery past during a time of revived Scottish nationalism.Show less
In this day and age it is of vital importance for museums to be socially inclusive and relevant for their communities. The Haags Historisch Museum and Museum Rotterdam, two Dutch City Museums, are...Show moreIn this day and age it is of vital importance for museums to be socially inclusive and relevant for their communities. The Haags Historisch Museum and Museum Rotterdam, two Dutch City Museums, are actively concerned with the inclusive representation of ethnic minority communities. They exemplify current issues in the theoretical discourse, and what other museums deal with in their policies and practices. The policies and practices of both museums connect with their aims to be socially relevant and inclusive institutions. Their most common practices in accomplishing this involve exhibition-making, organising activities and community projects, collecting new heritage, and forming partnerships. The combination of a theoretical framework and the case-studies of the Haags Historisch Museum and Museum Rotterdam provide a specific insight on the connections that both museums make between exhibitions, representing ethnic minority communities, and the social and community relevance of museums. Their approaches show both similarities and differences.Show less
Museums are institutions whose roles have been changing constantly throughout the history of their existence. Nowadays, their social role receives an increased importance, as museums are officially...Show moreMuseums are institutions whose roles have been changing constantly throughout the history of their existence. Nowadays, their social role receives an increased importance, as museums are officially recognised as institutions of social service by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The purpose of the present thesis is to examine the museum’s social role in the case of the Syrian refugee crisis by identifying ways that museums as institutions can contribute to its relief. In order to approach this topic, a correlation is drawn between museums and Development NGOs, as the latter have a well-established presence in the provision of social work. Therefore, as a secondary purpose, this thesis compares and contrasts these two types of organisations, identifies similarities and seeks aspects of NGOs that museums can learn from in order to enhance their efficiency in assisting in times of humanitarian crisis, like the in Syrian refugee one.Show less
This thesis explores the role that museums in the provinces of North and South Holland play in the formation of Dutch national and local identity. The Dutch Revolt and Dutch Golden Age were crucial...Show moreThis thesis explores the role that museums in the provinces of North and South Holland play in the formation of Dutch national and local identity. The Dutch Revolt and Dutch Golden Age were crucial times for the formation of Dutch national identity. Museums play an important role in negotiating historical fact and myth. The first chapter of the thesis explores the themes of "Geography", or how museums define "The Netherlands", "Location and Experience", or how museums create a sense of place, "Chronology" or how museums present the passage of time and "Interactivity" or how museums involve visitor interaction with the exhibits. The second chapter explores the subject of William of Orange as a national hero in the Rijksmusem and compares this with how the Princenhof museum in Delft uses biographical information to humanize William. The third chapter compares how two museums, the Lakenhal in Leiden and Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, present the subject of the Dutch Revolt. In Alkmaar the museum explores sites of cultural memory of the revolt in several places in the city. In the Lakenhal, memories of the revolt and local hero Pieter Adriansz. van der Werf are renegotiated in light of historical fact. In all these examples, the role that national and local myths play is explored.Show less
The aim of the present work is to present how have Dutch curators dealt with the representation of Suriname’s multiplicity in the ethnological museums of the Netherlands.Through museums’ modes of...Show moreThe aim of the present work is to present how have Dutch curators dealt with the representation of Suriname’s multiplicity in the ethnological museums of the Netherlands.Through museums’ modes of representation, particular constructions are created of image making and concepts developing. Ethnological museums are imagined as spaces that represent the life of groups of people inhabiting specific areas. The history of Suriname and the cultures of its people are a fixture in Dutch museums of ethnology, due to the historical colonial link between the two countries of Suriname and the Netherlands. How do Dutch museums of ethnology represent the ‘otherness‘ of Suriname and Surinamese people? In order to answer this question, two major museums of ethnology in the Netherlands, the Volkenkunde and Tropen museums, are investigated as case studies of how Suriname’s history, culture and various ethnic groups are today represented in the museological institutions of Suriname’s former colonizer. In the analysis of these exhibitions I will concentrate on matters regarding the authority of the museum, the presentation of decolonization, the vocalization of the narratives, the concept of exclusion, and the involvement of source communities in curatorial processes. Through this analysis, this paper seeks to determine what types of narratives dominate the representation of Suriname in Dutch museums and the vision of Suriname and Surinamers offered to the public in these exhibitions. In addition, the case studies presented will investigate which histories are unspeakable and which are not, how museums suggest their authority on the subjects they present, and the extent to which the intellectual framework to which a museum is bonded influences its displays, and which is the period we are going through nowadays and how have the museums been adjusted accordingly. In discussing these aspects of museological representation, this research hopes to add to the discussion of how museums can best produce ethical representations.Show less
Hoe kan een museum bijdragen aan een waardevollere ervaring van een doorsnee museumbezoeker bij het bekijken van Amerikaanse abstract expressionistische kunst uit de 20ste eeuw? De doelen en...Show moreHoe kan een museum bijdragen aan een waardevollere ervaring van een doorsnee museumbezoeker bij het bekijken van Amerikaanse abstract expressionistische kunst uit de 20ste eeuw? De doelen en verwachtingen van de museumbezoekers worden tegenover de functie en visie van musea geplaatst. Deze uitkomsten worden gekoppeld aan het Amerikaanse abstract expressionisme en hoe deze kunststroming het beste tot zijn recht komt bij doorsnee museumbezoekers.Show less
