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

Author
Mack, John [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
London : British Museum Press, 2003.
Description
160 p. : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 25 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
ReCAP - Remote StorageN1040 .M33 2003 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Library of Congress genre(s)
    Getty AAT genre
    Summary note
    • 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'.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-156) and index.
    Action note
    Committed to retain in perpetuity — ReCAP Shared Collection (HUL)
    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.
    Other title(s)
    Art and memory in world cultures
    ISBN
    0714126373 (pbk.)
    OCLC
    51738432
    RCP
    H - S
    Statement on language in description
    Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...

    Supplementary Information