Beyond the rational museum : toward a discourse of inclusion
Baker, Janice 2008, Beyond the rational museum : toward a discourse of inclusion, International journal of the inclusive museum, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 23-29.
Museum discourse is not inclusive in that it neglects or negates the affective potential of museums. Affect is precognitive sensation, it is unexpected, and leaves a more lasting impression than re-cognition. The museum’s role in the shaping of histories, and its origins in class and gender exploitation are important areas of discourse, however, the focus on these issues also limits discourse. Ideologically driven critique seems unable to explain the experiential affect of exhibits of art and material culture. Arguably, an alternative museum with a contradictory set of meanings has always existed alongside the rational museum of critical discourse. Some critics do acknowledge that their disciplines seem unable to grapple with this ‘alternative museum’, however, there is not a critical vocabulary of affect with which to give it appropriate expression. Gilles Deleuze’s philosophical ideas give relevance to affect, and are useful in shaping or ‘shocking’ a way toward a more inclusive critical discourse, which might lead toward more inclusive museum practices.
Field of Research
210204 Museum Studies 200204 Cultural Theory 210299 Curatorial and Related Studies not elsewhere classified
Socio Economic Objective
970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture
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