Capitalism and Reproduction in the New Museology: The Power Discourses about Chinese Cultural Heritage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Issue 4 (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bai, Qiong; Nam, Benjamin H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of arts management, law, and society. Volume 50:Issue 4/5(2020)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: Cultural heritage conservation -- cultural relic protection -- fashion show -- Chinese arts -- cultural reproduction -- mechanical reproduction; Arts -- Periodicals; Performing arts -- Periodicals; Performing arts -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Art and state -- Periodicals; 700
• DOI: 10.1080/10632921.2020.1815613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1063-2921

Abstract

Abstract: This article presents a critical discourse analysis of the nexus between Chinese cultural heritage conservation and promotion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is globally well-known and the largest art museum in the United States. Although the museum has collected, restored, and exhibited foreign cultural heritage in its halls to promote social and cultural development, there are potential risks when the museum hosts events and social activities in the midst of its collections. Therefore, this article interprets these commercial debates through the conceptual lenses of capitalism and cultural and mechanical reproduction in the new museology. To these ends, this article draws on the voices of figures from American and Chinese media and academia to understand how these art stakeholders view the debates about commerce regarding the museum's Chinese cultural heritage. Overall, this article investigates the Met's Chinese cultural heritage conservation and promotion, analyses the roles of the conservation laboratory and promotion programs, and interprets issues involved in special mega-events and the value of foreign cultural relics.