Abstract
This paper’s research area is situated in the framework of commitment to rethink the ethics of representations various institutions have undertaken for what concerns labels and the policies of labels making. The role of labels indeed, has changed over the last decades, and from being apparently objective, “matter of fact” data, they have gained a wide range of functions and now they can be considered interpretative, reflective tools aimed at providing a more in-depth analysis on a variety of subjects, from provenance to artists’ insights, to contextualization. Institutions have also launched several initiatives led at diversifying exhibitions, reaching broader audiences, and removing cultural biases from their programming: labels in some cases reflect these major changes. This paper presents the current status of labels at the Gemäldegalerie, the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Hamburger Bahnhof, and reflects the current trends being explored, also by comparing these cases with recent debates around titling issues arose for example at the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden, also in Germany. The text reflects upon the urgency of developing critical tools to analyze how and what stories are presented in cultural institutions. In particular the aim is to analyze the current status of reflection on this topic and to bring further attention on labels as mediation tools between the context(s) and the object. In place of their legacy as solely informing, if not instructional tools, labels should take on a new role as discussion forums for sparking debate and for honouring unseen experiences, also to enhance accessibility.
Presenters
Chiara IaneselliFellow at the Institut für Museumsforschung (until July 2023), Institut für Museumsforschung, SMB, Berlin, Germany
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2023 Special Focus—Museum Transformations: Pathways to Community Engagement
KEYWORDS
Labels, Accessibility, Museum Studies, Collection, Audience
