Chapter 4 Hacking Language
Critical Engagement with Curatorial Statements
In: Feminist Critique and the MuseumSearch for other papers by Kathy Sanford in
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Abstract
Museums are generally viewed as neutral conveyors of historical, cultural, and societal meaning about the world and ourselves. Language is a significant way in which meaning is conveyed in museums, through ‘objective’ statements explaining the meaning and importance of artifacts and exhibitions. Language, however, is a powerful and often invisible carrier of knowledge, contributing to our belief that museums offer unbiased views of the world. Both intentionally and unintentionally, language found in museums is all too often used to maintain society’s hegemonic orders of power. Using a feminist lens, this chapter critically examines ways in which exhibitions’ artifacts are presented and represented through language and the importance of noticing the authoritative uses of language to inscribe patriarchal and colonial views of the world. A critical examination of ways in which language is used, we argue, is necessary if our consciousness is to be challenged and multiple perspectives and diverse stories are to be included in museums.