Worlds in a Museum : Exploring Contemporary Museology

Triumphs and challenges in contemporary museology
Held on the occasion of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s first anniversary, the symposium Worlds in a Museum addressed the topic of museums in the era of globalisation, exploring contemporary museology and the preservation and presentation of culture within the context of changing societies. Departing from the historical museum structure inherited from the Enlightenment, leading experts from art, cultural, and academic institutions explore present-day achievements and challenges in the study, display and interpretation of art, history, and artefacts. How are “global” and “local” objects and narratives balanced – particularly in consideration of diverse audiences? How do we foster perspective and multiculturalism while addressing politicised notions of centre and periphery? As they abandon classical canons and categories, how are museums and cultural entities redefining themselves beyond predefined concepts of geography and history?

This collection of essays arises from the symposium Worlds in a Museum organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi and École du Louvre.

Contributors: H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa (Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities), Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak (Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi), Guilhem André (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Claire Barbillon (École du Louvre), Nathalie Bondil (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts), James Cuno (J. Paul Getty Trust), Noëmi Daucé (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Hartwig Fischer (British Museum), Cecilia Hurley (Neuchâtel University / École du Louvre), Rose-Marie Herda Mousseaux (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Hervé Inglebert (Paris-Nanterre University), Henry Kim (Aga Khan Museum), Anne-Marie Maïla-Afeiche (The National Museum of Beirut), François-René Martin (Ecole du Louvre / Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris), Jean-Luc Martinez (Louvre Museum), Sophie Mouquin (University of Lille / École du Louvre), Souraya Noujaim (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Martin Pitts (University of Exeter), Manuel Rabaté (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Sylvie Ramond (Museums of Fine Arts and Contemporary Arts Lyon), Kennie Ting (Asian Civilisations Museum)