If you’ve been reading my blog you will know that I don’t believe in making my own opinion known when I interpret. No matter how contentious the story, I think it’s important to share all the facts, allow room for all the views. I’m a facilitator, not a dictator of opinions. I feel that we're … Continue reading Interpretation and Ethics: Displaying Human Remains
And that’s what good architecture can add to interpretation
In March last year I blogged about my thoughts on architecture and interpretation. When I visited the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, California last week, I was reminded of that post –as an example of where it works brilliantly. Now, I’m sure an Egyptologist would find plenty of faults with the pseudo-Egyptian museum buildings, … Continue reading And that’s what good architecture can add to interpretation
Interpretation: If they notice it, it’s bad
As I continue to plough my way through transcribing the visitor interviews that I’ve done at Museum und Park Kalkriese in Germany I am struck by one observation: a lot of visitors refer to ‘the presentation’. They came because they wanted to see how the story was ‘presented’. They liked ‘the presentation’. ‘The presentation’ was … Continue reading Interpretation: If they notice it, it’s bad
Marking Place – The Role of Interpretation
I spent yesterday at the Battle of Hastings site [1]. They had a big event on to mark the upcoming anniversary of the battle, and at some point during the day, people laid down wreaths at the Harold Stone – the stone marking the place where King Harold is said to have fallen [2]. It … Continue reading Marking Place – The Role of Interpretation
Interpretation Needs More Self-Criticism
I know I keep writing about how we need more research and critical self-analysis in interpretation. But when I recently read Dr Bernadette Lynch’s report ‘Whose Cake is it Anyway?’ (2009) and Skibins, Powell and Stern’s 2012 ‘Exploring empirical support for interpretation's best practices’ I didn’t feel validated. I felt depressed. Lynch researched ‘the real … Continue reading Interpretation Needs More Self-Criticism
Communicating Messages: Is Interpretation Missing the Point?
In a recent meeting, my PhD supervisors asked me: Is interpretation missing the point by focussing on messages? That interpretation is about communicating messages is a conventional wisdom in the field. Distinct messages are inherent in the definition of interpretation as a ‘mission-based communication process’ [1], and they are the basis from which we measure … Continue reading Communicating Messages: Is Interpretation Missing the Point?
Objects don’t equal objectivity, or: The pitfalls of object-driven interpretation
Last week I was back in Germany finishing up the visitor interviews at Museum und Park Kalkriese for my doctorate research. One interview in particular struck a note with me. A visitor was very upset about what they felt was a major lack of balanced representation. They felt that there was little to nothing about … Continue reading Objects don’t equal objectivity, or: The pitfalls of object-driven interpretation
What Makes Good Interpretation, or: Here’s the Crux
Twice over the past two months I’ve attended workshops that have sought to tackle the basic question of what makes good interpretation [1]. One workshop aimed at developing a best practice document, while the other started a discussion on what might become the criteria for a quality mark for interpretation. Both approaches have highlighted the … Continue reading What Makes Good Interpretation, or: Here’s the Crux
Interpretation, facts, and a bit about respect
I spent last week at a thought-provoking seminar on interpreting megalithic sites. Most of the other participants were archaeologists, charged with unearthing the facts that might tell us what sites are all about. I couldn’t help but be impressed by their attention to detail, and their commitment to objectivity and truth. The latter is of … Continue reading Interpretation, facts, and a bit about respect
Museums Change Lives (or do they?)
This Monday past I went to the launch of the UK Museums Association’s ‘Museums Change Lives’ vision document. And I will say that as ever, it is nice to hear and read a good few confident assertions of why our work as (museums) professionals actually matters. And it is good to have a large organisation … Continue reading Museums Change Lives (or do they?)
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