In The Art Fund Debate at The British Museum it was generally agreed that contemporary art and artists do hold a mirror up to today’s society but don’t necessarily reflect our, or their own identities.
In two debates at the National Portrait Gallery, the growing family history industry was seen both as self-indulgent and narcissistic while it reflected a continuous movement from the bible, traditional sagas and 19th C literature to TV and the web.
The breakdown of class and culture had led to a 'cut and paste' society where we can choose who we are and enjoy 'drive-by' museum experiences where 'anything will do' as long it’s properly packaged. So how and where do our museums, galleries and archives contribute to this search for past and present identity?
A moralising guilt fest or an intellectually illuminating series of events and exhibitions? That was the question for the speakers and the audience at the last MGM Debate on 21 May at Tate Britain. Slaves to the Past? was organised by the Institute of Ideas for Museums and Galleries Month with support from Tate Britain.
The Antiques in Conflict debate at the Museum in Docklands on 16 May was one of the most remarkable events of Museums and Galleries Month this year. It included the first showing in the UK of the film 'The Rape of Europa' and a discussion at the Museum in Docklands, London.
