National Museum Of American Culture

899 Words2 Pages

When people visit museums, they are presumably touring the attraction for the sense of enjoyment and entertainment. These buildings of historical valuables have become a destination for those who wish to fulfill their curiosity of knowing what has been rescued and refurbished from the past, and individuals who simply want to pass time. There are a number of items and antiquities which are admired on a daily basis, but is the work and selection process taken into consideration as well? The art may be appreciated but the question of why the pieces were chosen never arises. Artifacts selected to be showcased within museums are representations of the evolution of mankind, and the ever-changing mindset and behaviors acquired from generation to generation. …show more content…

Every culture seems to share a different perspective on humanity and with art being a form of self-expression, the artist may tend to integrate their lifestyle within their work. This factor may grant viewers a look into the creator’s mind first handedly and provide them with a feeling of improved understanding. “The museum’s extensive collection encompass a vast range of cultural material- including more than 800,000 works of extraordinary aesthetic, religious, and historical significance,” stated in the excerpt from the website of the National Museum of the American Indian. Along with visual aids, the “National Museum of the American Indian actively strives to find new approaches to the study and representation of the history, materials, and cultures,” thus obliging peoples to further their education among such topics. For example, someone conducting research on a certain aspect of people and their interpretation of life, having access to such an large collection can be capable of supplying them with the appropriate information. Another scenario to take into concern is the possibility of an individual struggling with the importance of cultural identity and relying on the history of their ancestors to direct them in …show more content…

For instance, a piece featured at the St. Louis Art Museum depicts the Titanic tragedy while signifying the importance of coming together in the times of need. Many works hold a greater meaning behind them than what is just painted on a canvas, and being knowledgeable of the ownership history may allow historians and inquisitive people alike, to respect its journey continually. The Metropolitan Museum has created a “useful source in arriving at the truth and ensuring justice,” for items that were “unlawfully confiscated and never restituted.” (Source F) Art gaining restoration can lead to the appreciation of the story behind it from both the artist as well as viewers. Although restoring archival pieces tends to be appreciated, certain circumstances can have a negative outcome. With the intentions of recreating the past at Colonial Williamsburg, the museum received an extensive essay which attacked the efforts. Critiques stated that it was “the replacement of reality with selective fantasy,” simply meaning that the architecture avoided historical “unpleasantness like slavery, disease, and class oppression.” (Source

Open Document