Mixing Art and History

May 3, 2020

By AHNZ

Last year, 2019, Porirua  Museum put together an exhibition about exploration to New Zealand. According to the director, Reuben Friend, ” it was the first time the Museum had used an art exhibition to tell a historic narrative.” However it seems to me a dangerous slippery slope to blur the boundaries between art and history.

When we situate artistic expression it’s usually in an art gallery or some other context in which it is clear that this is art rather than a statement of fact. We go down a slippery slope by situating artistic expression into a museum, a place of history. One way to make sure that a work of art that is used in a museum is situated correctly is to attach an interpretive notice nearby.

I like my art situated in art space and my history situated in history space. Impressionable minds are liable to jump the tracks. Or is there a disclaimer out front of the Porirua exhibit saying ‘this is just aesthetics, don’t take this too seriously?’

Friend said it was the first time the Museum had used an art exhibition to tell a historic narrative.

“It’s really historical with very broad appeal so everyone can get a good experience out of it.”- Here, From Kupe to Cook: new exhibition marks first explorers to New Zealand; Stuff

That worries me. First up, it’s “an historic” not “a historic.” But that’ normal for Stuff who spent all their Face Checking money on Grammerly (because they can’t do their own) but only on the budget package apparently..

And what does Friend mean by “It’s really historical” anyway? Reminds me of something Derek Zoolander would say. Reminds me of the word ‘truthy’ or ‘sciency’. The museum is supposed to be a place for history, without question, not a place that’s ‘really historical’ like it’s a vibe or something!

“With more than 30 works in the exhibition and 5 major installations, a highlight was Kupe’s anchor-stone retrieved from Porirua Harbour and restored by Te Papa.”

Kupe is a fictional figure like Zeus or Aslan, his anchor-stone is like Santa’s sled or Batman’s car; Not real! Not something you can retrieve from the harbour and restore at Te Papa!

So, I get the strong impression that art and history are being mixed up badly. Context Keeping is out the window. As Dr. Egon Spengler wanted us: Don’t cross the streams! 

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Image ref. The Arrival of the Maoris in New Zealand (1999) is art, not history

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