alexisdpatt's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
“The Whole Picture: The colonial story of the art in our museums….and why we need to talk about it” by Alice Procter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Guys, I did it. I finally finished one of the TWO books I’ve been reading on and off since November. 🙈
“The Whole Picture” is a critical look at different forms of art, their relationship to colonization and how the viewer looks at them either with or without that lens and why it’s important for us to talk about it.
This book is brilliant. Not only does Procter argue why art matters, she also argues how it matters and to whom. She’s also very critical of museums as well and how they aren’t doing enough to offer a different perspective on some of their pieces because they didn’t want to ostracize their audience (and their donors) for having outdated views.
After working at a museum with this exact perspective, it is imperative that museums pick up the pace and lead the charge along with historians to recognize that some (most) of their collection was stolen (*insert certain museum(s) here*) and stop pretending that they are doing a service to the public when they refuse to update the text on their collection and keep touting out misinformation rather than putting the collection into the proper context.
By the end, I am in 100% agreement with Procter. The first step in solving this problem is to retire the old guard. If contemporary historians are starting to change their views and look at the past through different perspectives in order to provide a better and cohesive look upon the past, then there’s no reason as to why our museums can’t do the same thing.
If you are an avid museum goer, please add this to your reading list.
rosemarykirk's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting read! I love a museum but this book did a great job at capturing the unease I’ve felt in a lot of museums (especially the Pitt Rivers and the British Museum) and where that comes from, and also made me think a lot more about the fact that all museums have been curated in a very certain way to make us feel or think certain things, which now seems very obvious but has made me reevaluate many a museum trip.
rosareadsblog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.0
elonzo's review against another edition
coming back to this one when i have more energy for nonfiction
marleneayumi's review against another edition
4.0
"Museums are places of remembering, and misremembering"
Procter provides a wonderful insight into museums as reflections of the outside world- not neutral, but coaxed by curritorial narratives that exclude histories of enslavement, violence and empire. These spaces are never going to be rid of violence: they are embedded in the origins of their collections through the inheritance of power and trauma. However, this book urges a de-construction of centuries of dishonesty about their acquisitions and challenging these narratives in the process. This book was evocative, informative and educational in highlighting crucial but often forgotten temporalities.
Procter provides a wonderful insight into museums as reflections of the outside world- not neutral, but coaxed by curritorial narratives that exclude histories of enslavement, violence and empire. These spaces are never going to be rid of violence: they are embedded in the origins of their collections through the inheritance of power and trauma. However, this book urges a de-construction of centuries of dishonesty about their acquisitions and challenging these narratives in the process. This book was evocative, informative and educational in highlighting crucial but often forgotten temporalities.
amina_miah's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE THIS.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
As a working-class Londoner with skin that doesn’t glisten pale porcelain, I have always looked at Museums as a sacred space. Wholly believing I am meant to leave the buildings somehow as a better person. I’ve thought of museums as attesting for humanity, just as religious spaces do for divinity.
I finished this book feeling empowered to critically ask of these spaces: what am I being shown, why, by whom? How was this piece acquired? And most importantly, what am I not being shown and why not?
I knew going in that the book would be packed to the brim with insight that I did not have, about the history of museums and certain pieces. That it would decenter the colonial core of such institutions. I did not expect the deftly delivered phrases and heartfelt poignant punches of wit, all led by a convincing moral compass. Alice does a brilliant job here and I urge you all to read it!
P.s.: I have had the absolute privilege and joy of being guided by @aliceaprocter on an Uncomfortable Arts Tour. (Thanks to @rheabus who first informed me about her and all her incredible work.) I would absolutely recommend attending if you get the chance.
P.p.s: Colonialism is really gross guys. Don’t do it.
sophia_lm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75