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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page research paper that examines the argument proposed by Duncan (1995) that maintains that modern museums constitute a form of ritual. Specifically, the writer looks at the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art (West and East). Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmusrit.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
up of sequenced spaced and their "arrangements of objects," as well as "lighting and architectural detail provide both the stage set and the script" for ritual, according to Duncan (1993,
p. 12). With this argument in mind, the following examination of the Orgins of Western Cultures exhibit at the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art (West and
East wings) demonstrates the validity of Duncans concept of museums as modern day ritual. The Origin of Western Cultures exhibit is located on the second floor of the National
Museum of National History in Washington, DC. However, before seeing this exhibit, the visitor must, first of all, walk up a long flight of steps towards the imposing architecture of
the museum, which is characterized by Greek columns, an imposing marble edifice and a huge dome ceiling that constitutes the rotunda. As Duncan (1995) argues, the architecture alone announces to
the visitor the importance of what is to be seen. The museum is oriented in such a manner as to convey its mission, which is to orient and inform the
viewing public about the forces, both in nature and cultural, that have served to create the diversity of the modern world. The written material concerning the museum emphasizes this point,
which is that the exhibits are intended to facilitate the "growth" and "learning" of the visitors (Virtual tour, 2004). The first section in the Origin of Western Cultures exhibit pictures
early humans creating a cave drawing in Frances Lascaux Cave, as they might have looked roughly 17,000 years ago (Virtual tour, 2004). The next section takes the viewer forward in
time to ancient Mesopotamia and the invention of cuneiform writing. This section features objects such as a figure of ancient king that dates roughly from 1800 BC, which is inscribed
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