The Role of the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia - Assignment Example

What social roles do museums perform and how far are these shaped by particular understandings of history? How is that evident in the museum that youhave visited? What do the controversies at the National Museum of Australia and the Smithsonian reveal about the role that history plays in shaping a sense of identity? It is natural for man to always refer to his past experiences in making decisions for his present and future. History shapes his destiny. It is important that he has some things from the past to hold on to, as memories have taught him life lessons. “The museum is a modern political intellectual institution that regulates and represents connections between private and public spheres, between local community and national identity, and between memories and history” (Palumbo, 2001, p. 19). Museums are built to memorialize history. It holds artifacts that show evidence to the current generation to realize that great things have happened before. It shows them their heritage. It can likewise showcase current and future trends invented by people. In most cases, museums represent culture. The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia is one example of a museum that walks the guests through the past, present and future. It has a number of educational and interesting exhibits and features designed for all ages – from the very young children (Zoe’s House, a play area), to adults with a variety of preferences (i.e. Powerhouse Discovery Centre, shows different collections of various things or The Sydney Observatory, viewing celestial sights). Permanent exhibits that have been ingeniously assembled, mostly scientific in nature, showcase technological pursuits, inventions and innovations, experiments, musical, natural and environmental exhibits, and a broad spectrum of curios that tell interesting tales. Temporary exhibits are likewise featured that show divergent concepts and ideas. These exhibits are changed periodically to accommodate other exhibits to be enjoyed by guests in the future. Together, all the exhibits have become a buffet of explorations… a feast for the senses that guests get to go home over-stimulated with the rich information they take away. Like in most museums, out-of-towners ready to drink up the culture of the area, will not leave the Powerhouse Museum disappointed at not having had a taste of Australian history and culture. On permanent display are exhibits on typically Australian objects popularized in retail, and another display of how Australian women worked in homes from years past. A transient display entitled Yinalung Yenu: Women’s Journey which highlights how indigenous Australian women play out their roles in society from the past into the present. Guests get transported in time as the displays immerse them in Australian ambience and invite them to witness how people live in an authentic Australian culture. Aside from the goal of promoting one’s culture, museums have come upon the role of stimulating guests to use their cognitive functions to critically weigh issues and controversies on certain displays. It is usual for some guests to have strong reactions to some exhibits that stir up their emotions and personal convictions. It is possible that they disagree with the presentation of the exhibit and raise their concerns to the curators. One celebrated example is the National Air and Space Museums original Enola Gay exhibition in January 1995. Enola Gay represented the aircraft responsible for dropping the historical atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The main goal of the museum in staging this exhibit was to “to encourage visitors to make a thoughtful and balanced reexamination of the atomic bombings in the light of the political and military factors leading to the decision to use the bomb, the human suffering experienced by the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the long-term implications of the events of August 6 and 9, 1945." (Kohn, p. 146). However, what ensued was a controversy regarding the museum’s stand on the use of the bomb. Lost in the issue is the scientific fact of aircraft technology used in war and other tangential concepts. Consequently, the issue grew into a political controversy that had pushed authorities to cancel the exhibit altogether. This move has angered other parties who thought it was a deprivation of important information to prospective museum guests. The birth of controversy all the more whets people’s appetite to view controversial exhibits so people will have the opportunity to see for themselves and take part in the issue by coming up with their own insights and opinions. If only for getting people to think critically about what was on display, museums have already succeeded in one of their main goals. The Powerhouse Museum is likewise a modernist one. A number of exhibits such as Cyberworlds, Nuclear Matters, Success and Innovation, Contemporary Japanese Fashion, Australian International Design Awards, etc., show off new trends and inventions that offer new perspectives in guests. Such displays open up the minds of guests into new horizons that may not have been ventured by anyone else. The museum has the honor of introducing such perspective. According to Ashley (2005), modernist museums have many roles. It may be a “place of rational, scientific instruction; as a place for national identity formation; as an elitists’ space for the development of taste; or as an inventor of heritage imposed by dominant cultures” (Ashley, 2005, p. 1). In any case, the museum becomes a venue where new ideas are shared by the displays and newer ideas are born in the guests’ minds. The Powerhouse museum takes full advantage of the learning environment it creates by offering seminars, workshops and short courses on a variety of topics. It welcomes people whose thirst for learning is unquenchable and somehow, fills that thirst with knowledge offered. The creation of museums and its displays may prove difficult and challenging. Many guests are unaware of the struggles some museums go through in the process of its design of displays, as many factors interplay that makes it controversial in many respects. Apart from the example mentioned on the Enola Gay exhibit, the National Museum of Australia is another notable case. Many question the accuracy of the content of some of its displays which are mostly historical. The building, designed after the Berlin Jewish Museum, the National Museum of Australia likewise conveys strong sentiments that may be exploited by people who have vested interests, such as politicians. Such content related to indigenous people of Australia like the Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders have sparked a lot of debates (Morgan, 2003). That is why Morgan (2003) comments that the museum had a long gestation and a difficult birth. It may be added that is still undergoing growing pains. Many viewpoints must be considered in the design of exhibits, especially those that depict history, and personal events that may stir strong emotional connections. Morgan (2003) adds that “a museum full of stuffed animals in cases is one thing, but tales of black and white relations open a can of worms. There are those who see a museum’s role as presenting a master narrative, a chronology of civilization and its heroes. On the other hand are those who argue that there are many narratives – not just the history written by the victors - and no one has a monopoly on truth” Guests usually have no idea about the barrage of thinking and feeling that going to historical museums may evoke in them. For some, passions may be stirred and convictions may be strengthened, and to many, it instills strong links to patriotism that build up a sense of identity. It is essential for the youth to have such an experience as knowing their roots truly fosters a sense of belonging to a land so colored by history. It helps them understand much of what they have become as a race. It may not be helped if heated debates are ignited, but it just makes the experience more interesting and worthy of processing. The Powerhouse Museum of Australia offers learning opportunities that serve diverse needs. It not only informs guests on wide scope of knowledge, it not only entertains, but it leaves an imprint of the culture of a people. It builds up respect for the culture it represents. References Ashley, S. (2005) Seeing/showing: The Visual Effect of Museum Display. Conference Paper – International Communication Association, Annual Meeting, New York, NY. Kohn, R. (n.d.) Chapter 5: “History at Risk: The Case of the Enola Gay”, Edward Linenthal & Tom Englehardt, (eds). History Wars: The Enola Gay and Others Morgan, J. (2003) “Look Back in Anger”, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 January 2003. Palumbo, B. (2001) “The Social Life of Local Museum”, Journal of Modern Italian Studies, Vol. 6, No. 1 Read More