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Interpretation and the Role of the Viewer in Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art
Author(s) -
CarterBirken Pamela
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
curator: the museum journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.312
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 2151-6952
pISSN - 0011-3069
DOI - 10.1111/j.2151-6952.2008.tb00303.x
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , contemporary art , meaning (existential) , visual arts , sociology , art , art history , aesthetics , performance art , epistemology , philosophy , linguistics
What does the term “interpretation” mean when it's encountered in museums of modern and contemporary art — and is something missing? Studies conducted by the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the University of Leicester in England reveal that visitors want more information about art. In this article, interviews with the directors of the Phillips and the Walker (as well as other museum professionals and academics) examine interpretative practices today and suggest plans for tomorrow. When preparing future interpretive materials, the author advocates that museums expose visitors to the idea that they make their own meaning when viewing art.