Representing the Nation
Heritage, Museums, National Narratives, and Identity in the Arab Gulf States
Pamela Erskine-Loftus editor Mariam Al-Mulla editor Victoria Hightower editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:13th Jun '16
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£43.99(9780367193089)
The 1970s saw the emergence and subsequent proliferation across the Arabian Peninsula of ‘national museums’, institutions aimed at creating social cohesion and affiliation to the state within a disparate population. Representing the Nation examines the wide-ranging use of exhibitionary forms of national identity projection via consideration of their motivations, implications (current and future), possible historical backgrounds, official and unofficial meanings, and meanings for both the user/visitor and the multiple creators. The book responds to, due to the importance placed on tradition, heritage and national identity across all the states of the Peninsula, and the growth of re-imagined and new museums, the need for far greater discussion and research in these areas.
Professor Jane Bristol Rhys, Zayed University Abu Dhabi: The chapters and framework are the result of a conference last summer on the same topic. The editors have obviously selected what they think are the strongest contributors for this volume. Generally, I think that the coverage of topics is good – so overall opinion is good.
Representing the Nation is a timely and important collection of essays that, while considering the entire Gulf region, provide the contextualization necessary in order to understand how museums are being harnessed to recreate a past that is disconnected from younger generations; to reinforce present affluence and achievements; and, to represent new models of national identity. Covering the nation-building efforts of the 70s up to the contemporary, branded museums, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Doha, this volume is essential reading.
- Dr Jane Bristol-Rhys, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
ISBN: 9781138913578
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 589g
224 pages