Summary
Claire Bishop's *Radical Museology* argues that the "contemporary" in art museums should be understood as a method for engaging with the present, not merely a historical period. This approach emphasizes the crucial role of politicized historical representation within these institutions. The book presents a manifesto advocating for this active, critical stance in how contemporary art is framed and understood.
Readers will learn about a framework for re-evaluating the function of contemporary art museums, moving beyond passive display to actively shaping a politicized understanding of history through artistic engagement. The core takeaway is the imperative for museums to employ the contemporary as a dynamic method, fostering a deeper connection to the historical forces that inform present-day art.
Key concepts
- The contemporary as a method — Understanding "contemporary" as an active approach to engaging with the present, rather than a defined historical epoch.
- Politicized representation of history — The imperative for museums to actively and critically present historical narratives with a political dimension.
- Radical museology — A manifesto advocating for a more active and critical approach to the curation and understanding of contemporary art and its relationship to history.
From the book
Description: Radical museology is a vivid manifesto for the contemporary as a method rather than a periodization, and for the importance of a politicized representation of history in museum of contemporary art."--pub. desc.
Snippet: Radical museology is a vivid manifesto for the contemporary as a method rather than a periodization, and for the importance of a politicized representation of history in museum of contemporary art."--pub. desc.