Ah, sweet Reassurance...

Today, I'm sitting in my program's first seminar (currently listening to group 6 out of 9), where my class is presenting our first critical evaluations of local Swedish museums around the Göteborg area. I already went early in the morning--the only native English speaker in our group--on Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet (the Maritime Museum and Aquarium), and now we're hearing a critique of the Gothenburg City Museum...

I suppose I need to remind you a bit about this assignment. Last week, we were sorted into groups and each assigned a local museum to formally critique. We were expected to integrate our reading assignments into a cohesive oral report that explores everything from museum audience to exhibition, from collections to access and representation from a sociological perspective...

You're probably thinking (if you're reading this and not in my program): "wow, how boring" and I suppose yes, at times it has been (I did write this post during it, did I not?). With nine 20-minute presentations on a Friday, I too am surprised at how much I've stayed engaged. But after such a sporadic start of the program, where content and organization has left much to be desired, it feels fantastic to finally see the professional aspects of the program take hold. And in fact, after today, I think I could confidently say that this---museums---is definitely what I want to do.

See, museums, and the field of museum studies, are undergoing rapid change. Today's museums are fighting a constant battle between keeping tradition or embracing modernity---whether to simply inform or to actively engage society---and often, these institutions get stuck within their own means and mission statements in trying to keep up with modern society. It is clear, after a seminar like today, that the need for fresh, innovative ideas here is dire, and its been fantastic to hear the diversity of comments from my fellow classmates. I'll tell you, the future of museums is bright if you hired one of us: no more of these dull, drab, traditional institutions, but bright and dynamic community spaces that encourage multidisciplinary debate and discussion… :-)

As an outsider, the seminar probably would seem like a very thorough preview of all the major tourist attractions in the area. And in a way, it is---but one that leaves me both inspired and relieved. It's been difficult to get the reassurance that this decision to move to Sweden was a good one, especially since my discipline is so different than what the majority of others have studied. But though many museums we've talking about are not exactly within my interests, its very evident that it'd be beneficial to visit all museums to learn what they do best and what they could do different. And, after getting to know my professors better, it is clear I will not be singled out as a minority within the program (later, I will recollect my first visit to the Universeum).

All in all, I am extremely happy. Plus there are plans to go to a massive opening party tonight for an exhibit at the World Culture Museum celebrating modern Japanese street culture. 


Oh yeah: this year it's gonna be fun.