The museum as a space for therapy
On visitors with a ‘cabinet attitude’ and ‘problem-solving attitude’, plus a paradox
MúzeumCafé 44.
Therapy can happen only with an appropriate attitude, plus a strong willingness to engage in dialogue. Is it possible to regard a museum as a space suitable for discourse? After all, a museum is ‘given’, the objects are presented as matter of fact. Is it possible to establish a personal connection with such a space? Can you give yourself over to the presumed ‘healing’ properties of a museum without suspicion and scepticism? The fact that an exhibition operates with obvious concepts and periods may give good cause for satisfaction, since there is nothing else to do but learn. However, it can also cause frustration since you don’t feel you have a free hand at interpretation, and you note with uncertainty texts of information and explanation when they show the smallest sign of subjectivity. Keeping in mind the duality of satisfaction and frustration, the second important question concerns when you feel a museum to be therapeutic. Since therapy may mean getting away from everyday life, such a medium can make you forget the outside world; those with this opinion regard the museum as a fresh, untouched context. If, for example, you go to an exhibition of the Impressionists it will be enjoyable how light is presented in the paintings and in addition you learn what Impressionism means and how long it lasted. That is useful and in addition the museum as a hermetic space makes you forget the troubles of the outside world. The emphasis on the educational character of museums diverts attention from the museum space neglecting historical and political contexts, as well as any reference to how visitors see their own lives. Such a use of museums is similar to watching a TV programme or an entertaining film.