The Rise of the Must-See Exhibition: Blockbusters in Australian Museums and Galleries

Description

Blockbuster exhibitions are ubiquitous fixtures in the cultural calendars of major museums and galleries worldwide.　The Rise of the Must-See Exhibition charts their ascent across a diverse array of museums and galleries. The book positions these exhibits in the Australian cultural context, demonstrating how policy developments and historical precedents have created a space for their current domination. Drawing on historical evidence, policy documents and contemporary debates, the book offers a complex analysis of the aims and motivations of blockbuster exhibitions. Its chronological approach reveals a genealogy of exhibits from the mid-nineteenth century onward to identify precursors to current practice. This provides a foundation upon which to examine the unprecedented growth of blockbusters in the latter half of the twentieth century. The examples discussed offer a unique opportunity to study how institutional growth, political support, individual champions and audience interest have influenced the development of large-scale temporary exhibitions. The Rise of the Must-See Exhibition considers blockbusters as an international phenomenon and, as such, is highly relevant to practitioners working across the cultural sector around the world. The book will also appeal to academics and students engaged in the study of museums and galleries, arts management and curating, as well as those interested in the history of exhibitions and cultural policy. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of contents List of figures Acknowledgements Abbreviations and acronyms Introduction Notes References Part I Laying the foundations Culture, spectacle, exhibitions, 1850s–1940s 1 International expositions: Social, scientific and spectacular Exhibitionary practice in nineteenth century Australia International expositions: Australia’s contributions Previews at home, and Australian participation in the 1851 and 1855 international expositions The first intercolonial exhibition: new ideas of local competition World fairs at home: inviting the world to Australia The case of art: the role of temporary exhibitions Notes References 2 Private interests Championing temporary exhibitions and setting the standards of taste Federation and the development of the cultural sector Touring The Light of the World, 1906 Art in Australia and touring exhibitions Innovation in art exhibitions The 1939 Herald exhibition of French and British modern art Notes References Part II The rise of the blockbuster, 1950s–1990s 3 In the national interest: The growing role of government support French Painting Today: Peintres Vivants de l’École de Paris Professionalisation and the creation of a museum ‘sector’ International art in Australia after French Painting Today Expanding ambitions and support: the Visual Arts Board An entrepreneurial model Travelling exhibitions in other institutions Notes References 4 Building capacity and professionalism: Confident cultural leadership fortifies the blockbuster The collapse of the AGDC and the rise of new models for exhibitions Emergence of the natural history blockbuster Gallery and museum exhibitions in 1988 The legacy of 1988 Notes References Part III Blockbuster or bust The necessity of the blockbuster in the twenty-first century 5 Relinquishing the national: State support and competition Funding for the arts Non–museum goers: visitors and tourism Competition: bidding for events Once in a lifetime: sponsorship and marketing Notes References 6 Global buy-ins and blockbuster tropes The rise of the buy-in Masterpieces and popular appeal Risky business: mission or market? Financial rewards and risks New frontiers for buy-ins: object-less exhibitions How are museums served by buy-ins? Notes References 7 Scholarship and the exportation of Australian exhibitions In defence of scholarship New exhibition development models for scholarly research Institutional partnerships Selling an international product Notes References Epilogue References Index