Bernard E (2026)
Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes
Publication year: 2026
Publisher: Springer Nature
Edited Volumes: Contestation, Reinvention, and Regulation of Cultural Heritage Through Dissent
Series: Studies in Art, Heritage, Law and the Market
Book Volume: 12
Pages Range: 69-92
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-17682-0_4
This chapter examines the dissent surrounding the permanence or impermanence of a museum and its exhibits, as well as their embodied meanings and cultural significance, in the context of societal change. This controversy can manifest in various forms, including the contestation of existing exhibits or resistance to proposed transformations. It can be observed in a multitude of settings, including among curators, between curators and patrons, or in the public sphere. The reasons for dissent over the preservation or renovation of historical museum exhibits reveal that political expediency and considerations of attractiveness and associated profit are inextricably linked with academic and scholarly development and relevance, as well as instances of social inclusion. The disagreements can lead to different outcomes, namely the conservation or reenactment of a past exhibit and its transformation. Furthermore, the chapter considers potential solutions to the dilemma of preserving and renovating historical museum exhibits while accommodating dissent through dialogue. It emphasizes the transformative role of heritage and knowledge for our present and future.
APA:
Bernard, E. (2026). Permanence or Impermanence: Dissent Within Historic Museum Exhibits. In Contestation, Reinvention, and Regulation of Cultural Heritage Through Dissent. (pp. 69-92). Springer Nature.
MLA:
Bernard, Elisa. "Permanence or Impermanence: Dissent Within Historic Museum Exhibits." Contestation, Reinvention, and Regulation of Cultural Heritage Through Dissent. Springer Nature, 2026. 69-92.
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