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Cathartic nature of exhibitions - request for information
By hannah, Section Discussion
Posted on Tue Jun 27th, 2006 at 06:56:33 AM GMT
I am currently conducting research into the cathartic role of museum exhibitions that deal with tragic events from 1970 to the present day. I am particularly interested in the sociological, psychological and emotional reactions of the public to such exhibitions. I would appreciate any comments regarding such exhibitions and visitor responses, be it anecdotal, statistical or otherwise. Thank you

 

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Cathartic nature of exhibitions - request for information | 1 comments (1 topical, editorial, 0 pending)

[new] Cathartic Exhibitions (4.00 / 1) (#1)
by missclaire on Thu Jan 4th, 2007 at 06:21:14 AM GMT
(User Info)

I work at the Oakland Museum of California, and just a few years ago, our museum created an exhibition on how the Vietnam Era forever changed the face of California (and the rest of the US)politically, socially, etc. That was a difficult and divisive war. It is nearly impossible to talk about without invoking some passionate response - and it appears that the same went for visiting this exhibition. At the heart of the exhibition were personal stories, oral histories of those who had experienced these event first-hand, putting personal names and voices to these moments in history. During its stay at the museum, I heard many visitors say that they came away deeply moved. I think we even had to keep tissues by the back door, because so many people were crying on the way out. I think what did it were those oral histories - they were honest and concrete, like being told someone's secrets almost - not the "authoritative museum voice."



 
Cathartic nature of exhibitions - request for information | 1 comments (1 topical, editorial, 0 pending)
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