NODEM 2014 Proceedings

Proactive Spaces. An Insight on the Spatial and
Museographical Features of 21 st Century “Postmuseum”
Francesca Lanz, Elena Montanari
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Abstract: In the last twenty years, the traditional understanding of museums and their role in the contemporary society have
been radically questioned, both in theory and in practice. The interpretation of museums as static repositories of historical
and artistic treasures is being gradually overtaken by a new comprehension of museums as public services and social agents,
which do not only have a preeminent conservation function, but also – and primarily – an important educational, political
and social role. This evolution is being further influenced by the ongoing transformation of the society they have to relate
to, which is nowadays intrinsically characterised by global phonemena, the furtherance of cultural encounters and crossfertilizations,
and the shifting of cultures and identities produced by the augmented migration of people and peoples, objects,
information and ideas.
This context is triggering the enhancement of the role of contemporary museums as “active instruments at the service of society
and its development”, which is being actualised mainly through the experimentation of new curatorial practices, awarenessraising
education projects and participative activities. The paper suggests that this thorough reassessment of the museums’
mission and purposes, which is fostering a reconsideration of their scientific programmes, practices and approaches, might be
as well complemented by a transformation and reorganisation of their spaces, intended as essential components potentiating
museums’ effectiveness towards contemporary society.
By observing the projects of a selection of newly built or recently renovated European museums, it is possible to detect the recurrent
presence of strategic spaces, which are meant not only to accommodate but also to support and even foster the development
of new practices. We may refer to them as “proactive” spaces – where the adjective “proactive” suggests their ability in
consciously reacting to events, in timely adapting, or even driving and fostering changes. Proactive spaces are flexible, adaptive,
multi-purpose and in-progress spaces, which remain “open” in their form, function and meaning in order to better respond to the
evolving needs and activities of 21 st century museums.
Keywords: museum spaces, exhibition design
Reflecting on 21 st century museums: the rise of the post-museum model
Irrespective of the questioned definition of what “globalization” is, it is undeniable that the present age is deeply
and increasingly affected by the growing relevance and acceleration of an array of “global” phenomena, which
encompass an enhanced mobility and fluid circulation of people, cultures, ideas, information and goods, and
a consequent high degree of cultural encounters and cross-fertilizations. Although the movement of peoples
and knowledge has always accompanied and fostered the evolution of every civilization and culture in any
historical and political period, today these dynamics act at an unprecedented speed and with a worldwide
resonance. As many authors have already pointed out, this situation is having far-reaching implications on
several aspects of contemporary society, impacting both at a macro-cultural level as well as on the individuals’
micro-level (Rutherford, 1990; Bhabha, 1994; Appadurai, 1996; Welsch, 1999; Chambers, 2012). These shifting
cultural conditions are as well challenging museums as institutions historically implicated in identity work and
NODEM 2014 Conference & Expo
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