OVERVIEW

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.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching offers historical knowledge on the formation of the museum institution and the role of the museum in contemporary society. It also addresses the cultural mediation strategies of the historical-artistic heritage in relation to the perception of the public, the loyalty to the museum and the communication of contents through divulgation actions in accordance with ministerial legislation and guidelines, ICOM recommendations and international debate.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

PREREQUISITES

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.

TEACHING METHODS

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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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) MODELLI FRANCESI PER L'ORDINAMENTO DELLE COLLEZIONI CIVICHE GENOVESI. GLI ANNI DI ORLANDO GROSSO
M. Priarone, in A. Leonardi, Arte antica in mostra. Rinascimento e Barocco genovesi negli anni di Orlando Grosso (1908-1948)
Pisa 2016 (pp. 145-164)

5) UNO A SCELTA FRA I SEGUENTI VOLUMI:

• IMMAGINARE IL MUSEO
  Riflessioni sulla didattica e il pubblico
  Maria Teresa Balboni Brizza
  2021
• UN PATRIMONIO DI STORIE
  La narrazione nei musei, una risorsa per la cittadinanza culturale
  a cura di S. Bodo, S. Mascheroni, M.G. Panigada
  2016
• LAVORARE NEI MUSEI
  Alessandra Mottola Molfino, Cristina Morigi Govi
  2004

Attending students will also be required to have a reflection/work on one of the museum mediation tools examined in class, to be presented in the classroom on one of the last dates of the course or directly on the exam.

Non-attenders are asked to arrange with the lecturers for any supplementary readings on the exam syllabus. Power points from classroom lectures will be uploaded to Teams. Independent visits to at least two of the museums visited in class will also be required for the history of exhibits portion and critical presentation of a museum mediation tool of choice as required by the program.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARGHERITA PRIARONE (President)

ANNA MANZITTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

4 October 2023

Class schedule

L'orario di tutti gli insegnamenti è consultabile all'indirizzo EasyAcademy.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will consist of an oral test in which the student will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the history of museum formation and displays between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and to be able to critically discuss problems related to the function of the modern museum. A critical discussion of a case/example of a museum mediation tool analyzed by the student visiting a museum or exhibition of the student's choice will also be required. 

The examination consists of answering questions posed by the lecturer on topics covered in the course.

The last two lectures of the course will be devoted to critical discussion presentations of the museum mediation tool of the student's choice analyzed, for those who wish to anticipate this midterm evaluation time before the final exam.

Exam schedule