Dear Peter, glad you like it.
There are more weak points, however: almost all proposals speak about
'collections'.
That means that the definition applies for archives as well as museums!
Actually, most definitions suggested so far use 'collections'.
One way out could be to use 'objects'. Another, to clarify the use of
'collections' in an accompanying text as suggested by Bernice. After all,
museums don't usually just collect a bunch of non-related objects, but build
collections with a specific purpose. I prefer the latter.
Best, Steven
On 17-12-2003 00:22, "Peter Stanbury" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Steven
>
> I like your definition very much; it is short and straight to the
> point. But perhaps display (or exhibition) would be better than
> presentation? So:
>
> "Museums are institutions that keep collections for research and
> display"
>
> Surely this could be translated into many languages without risk of a
> subtle change of meaning? And I would have thought that this statement
> could be understood by the many people who rarely, if ever, visit a
> museum.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Peter
>
> Peter Stanbury OAM, PhD
> Chair, UMAC
> ICOM's International Committee for University Museums and Collections
> Museums, Collections & Heritage
> Vice-Chancellors Office
> Macquarie University
> New South Wales 2109
> AUSTRALIA
>
> +61 (0) 2 9850 7431
> +61 (0) 2 9850 75 65 (fax)
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> www.icom.org/umac
> www.museums.mq.edu.au
>
>>>> [log in to unmask] 17/12/2003 12:12:21 am >>>
> Like Milton, I have great problems with the approach suggested by
> Giovanni.
>
> Let us continue to call museums an institution (with a mission, staff,
> collections, public, a building, etc.).
>
> Besides, what is a site?
> 1. an area or piece of land where something was, is or will happen;
> 2. A place where something important happened.
> For me a 'site of memory' can easily be a graveyard and a 'site of
> knowledge' an academy of science ... Are they museums?!
>
> Furthermore: museums care, interpret, study, exhibit, more then just
> heritage and culture. Don't forget nature and science!
>
> I plea for a down to earth and short definition that describes in clear
> and
> unambiguous terms the basic functions of a museum:
>
> "Museums are institutions that keep collections for research and
> presentation"
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steven W.G. de Clercq
>
> Utrecht University, senior consultant Academic Heritage
> Vice-Chair of UMAC, ICOM's International Committee for University
> Museums
> & Collections
> website: <http://www.icom.museum/umac>
> Straatweg 17, 3603 CV MAARSSEN, the Netherlands
> Tel: OO31-(0)346-567.573; Fax: 0031-(0)346-578.843
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> On 15-12-2003 15:05, "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> On 12/14/03 5:48 AM, "tukuma muzejs" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Dear colleagues: Giving consideration to the proposed definitions by
>> Giovanni and Agrita, three options may be:
>>
>> One:
>> Museums are sites of memory, knowledge, and the creation of identity
> that
>> exist for the sustainability of society and that act through
> collecting,
>> caring for, interpreting, and exhibiting the heritage of
> communities.
>>
>> Two:
>> Museums are sites of memory, knowledge, and the creation of identity
> that
>> sustain society through collecting, caring for, interpreting, and
> exhibiting
>> heritage.
>>
>> Three:
>> Museums are sites of memory, knowledge, creation of identity which
> act
>> through collecting, taking care, interpreting and exhibiting the
> cultural
>> heritage of communities.
>>
>> Assuming we continue this discussion, I continue to be concerned with
> the
>> level of participation by the ICOM membership. We are working for
> ways to
>> have more discussion in at least three languages. Concern has also
> been
>> expressed about the limited number of ICOM members having access to
> ICOM-L.
>> If anyone has a suggestion on how to bring this issue to the
> attention of
>> more of the membership let me know.
>>
>> Gary Edson
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Dear colleaques,
>>> I followed the discussion about the new definition since its
> begining and
>>> find very much to think ower. Each of participants has given his
>>> contribution to this very important and vital matter for the words
> museums
>>> community. At first I would like to thank Milton Bloch for a short
> rewiew of
>>> development of the museums definition at very begining of this
> discussion.
>>> It was great to see how museums definition became more and more
> society
>>> orriented.
>>> The next was the discussion about a meaning of the word museum and
> the
>>> broadening of it speaking about sites, tangible and intangible
> heritage.
>>> It seems for me that the very short definition written by Jiovanni
> Pinna is
>>> a good explanation of meaning of the museum but there still exists
> the
>>> question - what is a purpose of museums activities.
>>> During the general Conference of ICOM in Stavanger Saroj Gose
> pointed out
>>> that museums are able to foster the development of the society.
> Today we are
>>> speaking about sustainable development and museums contribution to
> it.
>>> On my mind it is important to describe the purpose of museum in the
>>> definition. I would use Jiovanni's definition only adding that
> museums exist
>>> for sustainability of society or sustainable development of
> society.
>>>
>>> So, it could be like that:
>>>
>>> Museums are sites of memory, knowledge, creation of identity which
> exist for
>>> sustainability of society and
>>> act through collecting, taking care, interpreting and exhibiting
> the
>>> cultural heritage of communities.
>>>
>>> Excuse me for not so perfect English. I would be happy to hear
> other
>>> oppinnions.
>>> Sincerely yours,
>>> Agrita Ozola,
>>> Chairperson of ICOM Latvia,
>>> Director of Tukums Museum
>>> Harmonijas street 7, Tukums LV 3101
>>> T.: +371 31 82 390
>>> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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> Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the
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Steven W.G. de Clercq
Utrecht University, senior consultant Academic Heritage
Vice-Chair of UMAC, ICOM's International Committee for University Museums
& Collections
website: <http://www.icom.museum/umac>
Straatweg 17, 3603 CV MAARSSEN, the Netherlands
Tel: OO31-(0)346-567.573; Fax: 0031-(0)346-578.843
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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