Public panel discussion convened by Khwezi Gule (Chief Curator, JAG) and VIAD.

The Centre for the Less Good Idea, 18:00-20:30

Panelists:

• Khwezi Gule (JAG)

• Thomas J. Lax (MoMA, New York)

• Ingrid Masondo (Iziko SANG)

• Molemo Moiloa (MADEYOULOOK)

• Cláudia Rocha (MnBA, Rio de Janeiro)

MUSEUMS FOR WHOM, MUSEUMS FOR WHAT?

Museums of art have played a significant role in the way that the modern state has sought to define the public good. However, history has demonstrated that the subject of modernity has often been very narrowly defined according to race, nationality, gender, geography class, etc… - with the rest of humanity becoming mere subjects. Whereas post-colonial critique, class analysis and gender politics have vigorously interrogated the institutional, discursive as well as representational models of the modern museum of art, for the most part existing hierarchies have remained stubbornly intact. In addition to this, the socio-political and economic constitution of traditional museum audiences has shifted in such a way that the issue of transforming museums is no longer an abstract premise but a matter of survival.

The question is: are museums willing and able to re-imagine themselves in the radically new conditions in which they find themselves? Are Museum professionals and museum administrative arms able to succinctly identify, craft and implement new methodologies that can speak to new audiences and constituencies?

For more information, please contact:

James Macdonald (VIAD) | email

Musha Neluheni (JAG) | email

Click below to listen to the audio from the session:

View video here