Thinking (with) Museums: From Exhibitionary Complex to Governmental Assemblage

Abstract

Abstract This chapter reviews the similarities and differences between two theoretical frameworks that I have proposed for thinking about the relationships between museums and society: first, one which interprets museums as parts of an “exhibitionary complex” and, second, their interpretation as parts of governmental assemblages. While these are both derived from the work of Foucault, they have different consequences, which I explore. I begin with the concept of the exhibitionary complex which, while it has proved quite influential since I first proposed it in the 1980s, has also had its critics. I review these criticisms and indicate what I think is still worth retaining from this earlier proposal. I then go on to review the lines of inquiry that are suggested by referring to museums as “governmental assemblages.” I illustrate both concepts and their consequence with selected examples from a range of the different kinds of museums to which I have applied them: nineteenth‐century art and natural history museums, and twentieth‐century anthropology museums, for example.

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