Worlds in a Museum: Exploring 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: Claire Barbillon (École du Louvre), Souraya Noujaim (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak (Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi), Jean-Luc Martinez (Louvre Museum), James Cuno (J. Paul Getty Trust), Hartwig Fischer (British Museum), H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa (Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities), Martin Pitts (University of Exeter), Hervé Inglebert (Paris-Nanterre University), Cecilia Hurley (Neuchâtel University / École du Louvre), Syllvie Ramond (Museums of Fine Arts and Contemporary Arts, Lyon), Nathalie Bondil (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts), Monica Juneja (University of Heidelberg), Anne-Marie Maïla-Afeiche (The National Museum of Beirut), Kennie Ting (Asian Civilisations Museum), Henry Kim (Aga Khan Museum)