Exhibitions

On the history of a medium

Abstract

The authors concentrate on the historical development of exhibitions and their changing characteristics from their beginnings in the 17th and 18th centuries till today. One main argument is the fact that exhibitions, first integrated in museums, have become a medium of their own. The world exhibitions were the first to present historical topics, with an emphasis, however, on commercial subjects and products. Till our days, there is a tension between the educational function of exhibitions, with partly encyclopedic character, and a mere presentation of art. Exhibitions organize their material in order to transfer a certain knowledge and meaning. Thus, there can be a conflict between scientific aims and the total and didactic organization of an (historical) exhibition.