Museums and museum politics were important elements in the development of the disciplines of Archaeology and Art History in nineteenth-century Britain. Here Christopher Whitehead explores some of the key debates and events which led to the conceptual differentiation and physical separation of archaeological and artistic material culture; looking especially at the ways in which objects and histories were contested within museum politics. For example; in the 1850s; the status of Egyptian antiquities as art or archaeology was keenly debated; and this related closely to questions about which kinds of museum should house them and the possible histories and epistemologies in which they might figure. This concise study serves as a basis for a discussion of the continued intellectual legacy of this for our understanding; management and presentation of the past in the museum and in curricula. It is argued that by understanding the politics and circumstances through which the two disciplines were delimited and distinguished from one another we may be able to glimpse; retrospectively; the possibility of alternative art histories and alternative archaeologies.
#912061 in eBooks 2014-04-15 2014-04-15File Name: B00G1SM2EM
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant; beautiful; sensational! It is destined to become a classic.By Kevin ChavousOver a half-century ago; city planner Kevin Lynch wrote in his acclaimed book The Image of the City; ldquo; . . . we need an environment which is not simply well organized; but poetic and symbolic as well. It should speak of the individuals and their complex society; of their aspirations and their historical tradition; of the natural setting; and of the complicated functions and movements of the city worldrdquo;. Since then; urban designers have dealt with the issue of planning for and creating the beautiful; well functioning; modern city in an ever growing; environmentally challenged world.The Nature of Urban Design is about cities and urban design in the age of climate change.Much like Edmund Baconrsquo;s Design of Cities; or Ian McHargrsquo;s Design with Nature; the book represents a kind of state of the art in the fields of architecture; landscape architecture; city planning and urban design. The author boldly declares that ldquo;Nature is the new civic virtuerdquo; and focuses on a most critical matter- the resilience of the city during climate change and how we must mitigate and adapt. ldquo;In a city where there is a desire for livabilityrdquo;; writes author Alex Washburn; ldquo;there is an opportunity for sustainabilityrdquo;.As a resident of a coastal neighborhood in Brooklyn; New York that was ravaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012; the author- who is a practicing urban designer- provides a unique perspective into the issue that very few professionals can.The Nature of Urban Design features a general overview of the process of urban design to those who are unfamiliar with it and also discusses what is termed the products of urban design- that is; ldquo;the rules; plans and projects that guide a cityrsquo;s transformationrdquo;.Through personal stories and case studies; Washburn offers a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the Urban Design Division of the New York City Planning Department; the most renowned city planning agency in the United States.A chapter is devoted to the famed High Line- the mile and a half long elevated greenway on Manhattanrsquo;s Lower West Side. The author reveals the untold story of the role (unbeknownst to most people) that the cityrsquo;s planners and urban designers played in helping to create it.This is not a strictly New York City book. The author also references and cites examples from cities around the world.The book is geared more towards lay people; students and those in the allied professions; however; experienced; practicing design professionals will want it on their bookshelf. In writing for a wide range of audiences; Washburn faced a very difficult balancing act; but somehow- amazingly enough- succeeds. He never talks down to or over the head of the reader.Outstanding photography; stunning illustrations; phenomenal drawings- the book engages; instructs; and challenges you to understand and become a part of the urban design process.The most important quality of The Nature of Urban Design is the fact that it inspires. And without inspiration; there are no dreams; no great ideas; no plans of action; and no change.With respect to the future; the problems that lay before us are difficult; but not insurmountable. We must summon our collective strength; wisdom and ingenuity.It is through this book and others like it that our dreams of a better city and a better world can be realized.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. BrilliantBy O. JonesAnyone interested in the long term survivability of our species should read this book.! Washburns analysis is brilliant.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. a MUST have book for everyone; from experts to studentsBy Selective readerAlexander Washburn has produced an outstanding work with a simply stated message: " The importance of individuals with the drive to make a difference in their own city because only them know what they love and value in their neighborhoods. How just a new approach to the Urban Design could help cities to evolve in this uncertain future." In all the clearly worded and beautifully illustrated chapters; the authors uses the several years of experiences as Chief Urban Designer of the New York Department of City Planning to compare real American examples with other city always more important in the global scenario as Singapore and Seoul. This broad approach; combined with unusual clarity of expression and wonderful photos; makes the book enormously useful not only for professional response teams but also for a more general readership interested in the way that the Urban Planning could responsibly modify the way that our communities; urban infrastructures and cities are designed and built. For who; like me; live and study in Europe; with the secret career aspiration in the States;this book is a clear and simple overview of the Urban Planning field of work. I thank the author to have shared with us his tremendous knowlege and I suggest everyone to buy it; Its worth it!