Political History, Hijacked Museums

Abstract

How can curators safeguard their institution from becoming a place for displaying words rather than exhibiting objects, from opportunists insinuating political narratives into the exhibitions? Two high profile examples of dogma crowding out depiction in museum galleries are currently underway in Toronto and Winnipeg. Vocal proponents, using the museums literally as a platforms, are relying upon Homeric tales to provoke controversy and thereby attention for their oft-repeated ideas, their writings, and their scholarly vibes.