Posted: December 29th, 2010 | Author: Jasper Visser | Filed under: Inspiration, Thoughts about museums | Tags: audience, community, crowd, design, functions, ideas, museums, public places, unusual | 6 Comments »
Photo by kberberi on Flickr.com (CC BY-NC-ND)
Ask anyone what a museum is and most people will come up with an answer including a building and paintings on the wall. Or old stuff in displays. A somewhat older post by New Curator on the function of museums stresses education, inspiration, conservation…
A museum can be so much more, especially for its visitors. The following list gives some of the many things I’ve seen museum be and used museums for over the last year. It’s by no means conclusive. Please add.
A museum is,
- A flex work spot with Wi-Fi and good coffee.
- The perfect spot to finally read James Joyce or any other challenging book.
- A place to go on a first date. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: October 4th, 2010 | Author: Jasper Visser | Filed under: Buildings | Tags: architecture, audience, design, environment, outdoor, people, public, water | 1 Comment »
Today the book Beyond the black box and the white cube (English title, Dutch book, ridiculous) went on sale. Obviously, I haven’t read it yet, but it’s high on my wishlist. The short movie that accompanies the book shows how innovative architecture can lead to a better cultural experience. The museum of the future needs such a building. Moreover, as I believe the museum of the future is in the heart of society, it has to be in an amazing environment, open to public.
If I were to build a museum, I’d be inspired by these wonderful public places that just work (for me). Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: August 18th, 2010 | Author: Jasper Visser | Filed under: Thoughts about museums | Tags: creativity, crowd, design, public space | 1 Comment »
Park Güell. Photo by Nick Wright Planning on Flickr.
Recently I visited Park Güell, the famous Barcelonan park designed by Gaudí. If you haven’t been there, you might know it from movies such as Vicky Cristina Barcelona in which both Cristina and Juan Antonio use the park as a source of inspiration. Often in literature and motion pictures the park is a spot for inspiration and creative freedom.
In reality the park has turned into a horrid mass-attraction devoid of all artistic charm.
Those parts not covered in yellow under-construction tape, are crowded with photo-happy tourists. A strict guard blows his whistle every time a visitor steps out of line. Nowhere to sit down quietly and read. Nowhere to draw. Shut up, walk around quickly and move on. It made me think of some of the art museums I’ve been, those where a security guard tails you.
Read the rest of this entry »
