Day 5 of my project has me thinking about museum-like functions that take place in other environments. This started with a random video on the site Mutualart.com of an installation by artist Bruce Munro at Salisbury Cathedral, 90 miles southwest of London. You might know of the Cathedral as the home of one of the best preserved copies of the Magna Carta. While I first just wanted to connect with the art and music, as I dug into my daily research I found striking similarities in how the Cathedral is run and how museums function.
First- the art installation by Munro. It ran through February and was entitled Water-Towers. The Cathedral has an ongoing program of exhibition, in fact they also collect contemporary art. This was Munro’s second installation on site, and it encouraged visitors to wander the spaces to immerse themselves in sounds and changing color seen through 16,000 plastic bottles filled with water. Munro credits the book Gifts of Unknown Things by Lyall Watson as inspiration to create the experience as he was fascinated by the character Tia who has synesthesia, the ability to “see” sounds in color.
The contemporary work in an ancient space seemed very museum-like to me but the similarities did not stop there. The Cathedral website explains that the building itself is an artifact and there are four staff conservators charged with maintaining the centuries old elements such as statuary on site. It also maintains a library and archive of historical works and has an active research program. There are ongoing classes in art making, music and history for all ages. One can make donations or become a volunteer. Guided tours for small and larger groups are available and finally, there is a restaurant and shop for visitors. Even on the administrative side you will find a mission statement, specific measurable commitments to the community and a strategic plan available for review.
How often do museum professionals and people running other destinations carrying out similar functions interact regarding their work? Museums and libraries often partner on projects, most notably through federally funded programs. IMLS lists 117 examples funded. Nonetheless the two professions remain quite distinct.
Are there ways we can increase communication and potential partnerships with national and international sites that carry out similar work? What examples already exist? So many questions from one little video!
Museum Life 