The course takes an in-depth look at the history of the modern museum, from the late 19th century to the contemporary age, with particular reference to the formation of collections and the history of museum displays in Genoa, exemplifying the path of museology and museography between the 19th and 20th centuries. Additional space is devoted to the function of the museum and its role in contemporary society, focusing on the international debate on the issues of conservation, communication, mediation and accessibility in museums, and the related professional figures involved. At the end of the course, the student acquires historical, theoretical, and methodological-critical knowledge about cultural mediation strategies that foster lasting relationships between audiences, museums, and historical-artistic heritage. The course approaches transversal skills and appropriate tools to evaluate the communication and education actions of museums, in accordance with international guidelines.
The teaching provides knowledge of the history of collecting the museum institution in the modern age, with insights related to the reality of Genoese museums, with reference to the history of their collection management and displays. As part of a comprehensive reflection, drawing on ICOM and the relevant national legislation, the course provides tools for critical understanding of current operational strategies and the debate regarding the role of the museum in contemporary society. It also guides toward a clearer understanding of the possible professional roles and directions in the museum field of art historians.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- describe in a historical perspective the events of collecting, museum exhibitions, museological and museographic reflection between the 19th and 20th centuries in Italy
- orient themselves in the international debate on the role of the museum and museum mediation in society
- know the main functions of the museum and related professional figures
- critically evaluate initiatives and proposals for museum accessibility and mediation, also on the basis of the bibliography on the subject
A good knowledge of history and art history from the Middle Ages to the contemporary age is necessary to deal effectively with the teaching content.
Classes are held in person. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. The lecturer, at the specific request of a student (by e-mail), may allow him/her to follow classes remotely via “Teams” platform and to view class recordings.
The course program includes presentation and discussion of the following topics:
1. The definition of a museum in contemporary international debate;
2. Italian legislation and the creation of the National Museum System;
3. Collecting and museums between the 19th and 20th centuries;
4. The museums of the masters of Rationalism;
5. Types, functions, tasks, professions of the museum;
6. Particular museum forms and particular arrangements: some case studies;
7. Museum mediation in museums: themes, tools, projects, occasions and perspectives;
8. The 100 words of a museum: from theory to practice;
9. Museums and digital culture;
10. Museum mediation activities: communication, educational services, temporary exhibitions, accessibility.
Non-attendees are asked to agree with the lectures on the exam program, with possible supplementary readings, particularly on Italian legislation in reference to uniform quality levels for museums and the creation of the National Museum System (DM May 10, 2001; DM 113/2018), and with a text of their choice from the Ministry of Culture Publications, pdf downloadable (general link <http://musei.beniculturali.it/risorse?filtra=pubblicazioni>, specific links indicated below):
1) Ludovico Solima, Il museo in ascolto. Nuove strategie di comunicazione per i musei italiani, collana Quaderni della valorizzazione 1, Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali-Direzione Generale per la Valorizzazione del Patrimonio Culturale, Rubettino, 2012 (pdf scaricabile da <http://musei.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Il-museo-in-ascolto-Nuove-strategie-di-comunicazione-per-i-musei-statali-Quaderni-della-Valorizzazione-Rubbettino-Editore-Roma-2012.pdf)
2) Cristina Da Milano, Erminia Sciacchitano, Linee guida per la comunicazione nei musei: segnaletica interna, didascalie e pannelli, collana Quaderni della valorizzazione NS 1, Ministero dei beni e delle attività culturali e del turismo-Direzione generale Musei, Roma, 2015 (pdf scaricabile da <http://musei.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Linee-guida-per-la-comunicazione-nei-musei-segnaletica-interna-didascalie-e-pannelli.-Quaderni-della-valorizzazione-NS1.pdf>)
3) Alessandro Bollo, Il monitoraggio e la valutazione dei pubblici dei musei. Gli osservatori dei musei nell'esperienza internazionale, collana Quaderni della valorizzazione NS 2, Ministero dei beni e delle attività culturali e del turismo-Direzione generale Musei, Roma, 2016 (pdf scaricabile da <http://musei.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Il-monitoraggio-e-la-valutazione-dei-pubblici-dei-musei.-Quaderni-della-valorizzazione-NS-2.pdf>)
4) Il Patrimonio culturale per tutti. Fruibilità, riconoscibilità, accessibilità, a cura di Gabriella Cetorelli e Manuel R. Guido, collana Quaderni della valorizzazione NS 4, Ministero dei beni e delle attività culturali e del turismo e del turismo-Direzione generale Musei, Roma, 2017 (pdf scaricabile da <http://musei.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Il-patrimonio-culturale-per-tutti.-Fruibilita%CC%80-riconoscibilita%CC%80-accessibilita%CC%80.-Quaderni-della-valorizzazione-NS-4.pdf>)
It is also required, in connection with the course program, to visit at least two museums.
1) CHE COS’E’ UN MUSEO
Maria Vittoria Marini Clarelli
Nuova edizione, 2021
2) I MUSEI E GLI ALLESTIMENTI DI FRANCO ALBINI
F. Bucci, A. Rossari
2005 (con particolare riferimento ai musei genovesi)
3) PER UNA CRITICA DELLA MUSEOGRAFIA DEL NOVECENTO IN ITALIA. IL “SAPER MOSTRARE” DI CARLO SCARPA
M. Dalai Emiliani
2008 (pp. 77-149)
4) One of your choice from the following volumes:
Riflessioni sulla didattica e il pubblico
Maria Teresa Balboni Brizza
2021
Fra narrativa, pratiche e testimonianze
Maria Elena Colombo
2020
La narrazione nei musei, una risorsa per la cittadinanza culturale
a cura di S. Bodo, S. Mascheroni, M.G. Panigada
2016
Arte, museo, pubblico nella contemporaneità
a cura di Stefano Chiodi
Atti del convegno, 2009
Alessandra Mottola Molfino, Cristina Morigi Govi
2004
MARGHERITA PRIARONE (President)
ANNA MANZITTI
Second semester
