a) Identify architectural and design elements in the Great Court that are mentioned in the blog. When you look at these architectural elements, what ideas or associations do they make? What do they tell us about the museum? Discuss your ideas with the group.
What specific implications arise from the entrance halls’ veneration of imperialism and patronage? Discuss your ideas with the group.
b) How else could the British Museum be introduced? Make a quick sketch of your idea for a new entrance hall and list its key features.
c) How do you think your new entrance hall will change what visitors think about the museum? Share your ideas with the group.
a) Imagine a temporary exhibition for the Enlightenment Gallery space. All of the gallery’s content has been removed, but the bookshelves and balcony remain. There are no restrictions on budget or content. Give your exhibition a title, decide what it contains and create a rough sketch of your display.
Consider who the temporary exhibition speaks to and identify its key concerns.
b) Write a mission statement or press release for your exhibition.
Share your ideas.
c) How has your exhibition changed how the Enlightenment Gallery is understood?
Discuss as a group.
a) What are the implications of this object not being on view?
b) How can you give people access to this object? Consider different strategies for bringing the object into view, such as: historical and political reference points; virtual and actual modes of display; storytelling or poetry.
c) Choose a strategy and create material that speaks to the object.
d) Share your view of the object with others. What might different modes of display offer objects in the museum?