Research Catalog

Title

The museum of the mind : art and memory in world cultures / John Mack.

Author

Mack, John

Publication

London : British Museum Press, 2003.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

British Museum

Description

160 p. : ill. (chiefly col.); 25 cm.

Summary

• This thought-provoking book draws on the worldwide collections of the British Museum for its inspiration. Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of that institution, its theme is appropriate to the event. The book addresses the questions of how and why we remember, drawing its evidence from across world cultures, and from antiquity through to contemporary times.
• Memory is essential to a sense of being. It is deeply embedded in both personal and cultural identity, and in the history of established institutions---in particular museums, which can be construed as 'theatres of memory', from their collections and method of display, to their architecture and the naming of their parts. In a wider context, cultures are rarely without an explicit understanding of the place of memory among other mental functions. Many societies have specific roles for 'rembrancers', sometimes aided by mnemonic devices of various kinds; and all commemorate through the creation of objects. This book examines the theme through a consideration of sculpted and painted portraits, medals, coins and banknotes, sepulchres and coffins, inscriptions, religious reliquaries and pilgrim tokens, souvenirs, memorabilia and photographs. As the surrealist film-maker Luis Buñuel said: 'Life without memory is no life at all'.

Alternative Title

Art and memory in world cultures

Subject

• British Museum > History
• British Museum > Exhibitions
• Memory in art
• Memorials > Exhibitions
• Mnemonics > Exhibitions
• Anthropology > Exhibitions

Genre/Form

• exhibition catalogs.
• Exhibition catalogs
• History
• Catalogues d'exposition.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-156) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Preface / Neil MacGregor -- The British Museum and other theatres of memory -- In the mind's eye -- Mnemonic devices -- Living memory -- In Memoriam -- Remembering and forgetting events -- Holy relics and memorabilia.

ISBN

0714126373 (pbk.)

OCLC

• 51738432
• SCSB-10120965

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library