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Reshaping the Archive: Exhibition As a Mechanism for Change

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RESHAPING THE ARCHIVE: EXHIBITION AS A MECHANISM FOR CHANGE Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester Peter Anthony Lester School of Museum Studies University of Leicester September 2019 ABSTRACT Reshaping the Archive: Exhibition as a mechanism for change Peter Lester This thesis examines the recent phenomenon of physical exhibition-making within archives. It investigates how physical exhibitions are conceived and made in archives and their role in reimagining new ways for audiences to experience archival collections. Situated within a context of increasing digitisation, declining onsite visits to archives and progressively reduced finances, the research more broadly considers the role of exhibition in wider restructurings of archival spaces and organisations. It examines how and why archivists seek to transform the physical experience of being in public archives, thereby making archives more relevant and meaningful to people’s lives. The research uses an interdisciplinary methodology and develops a theoretical framework which draws on the spatial and phenomenological ideas of Henri Lefebvre and Maurice Merleau-Ponty to re-examine archival exhibition practice. The research comprises a broad, international survey of exhibition practice and two detailed case studies. The thesis makes a contribution to knowledge by developing understanding around archive exhibition, based upon a broad yet detailed body of research findings and an innovative theoretical and methodological approach; and has potential impact both in terms of archival theory and practice. The thesis argues that existing discussions of exhibition within archival literature are largely framed through a discourse of justification; whilst exhibition is principally conceived as a form of outreach. Drawing across a whole range of recent archival practice, the thesis shows that exhibition is, rather, part of a pluralising of experience that recognises distinct and diverse audiences and uses. In this sense, exhibition is understood not only as a form of promotion but also as a means of encounter and as a site of discussion and debate. Moreover, the thesis proposes wider implications for the space of the archive as a cultural venue and meeting place. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout this PhD and in the writing of this thesis. Most importantly, I wish to thank my supervisors, Professor Suzanne MacLeod and Professor Elizabeth Edwards, without whom this work would not have been possible. I also express my gratitude to the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Midlands3Cities Doctoral Training Partnership for fully funding my PhD and for providing further additional funding for research trips and activities. Thank you also to the University of Leicester Library, the Doctoral College and the School of Museum Studies, especially Christine Cheesman, Bob Ahluwalia and all who have provided advice and support. I wish to thank everyone who participated in the PhD and gave up their time to help with the research. I would especially like to thank Christina Back at the Royal Library and Larysa Bolton at Archives+ for their generous help towards my two case studies. I would also like to thank everyone who, through their generosity, provided resources, information, assistance and guidance throughout the PhD. Finally, I wish to thank my colleagues in the archives sector, the School of Museum Studies community, my family and friends and, especially, James, Rowena, Alex, Ian and Edward. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. 2 LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ 6 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... 6 ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 9 Definitions and Scope ................................................................................................. 10 Plan of the Thesis ........................................................................................................ 12 CHAPTER ONE: RATIONALE .................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .................................................. 28 Conversations about Archive Exhibitions .................................................................. 28 Shifts in Historiography and Archival Theory ........................................................... 31 Archive Exhibitions: arguing for and against ............................................................. 42 Potential New Directions ............................................................................................ 50 CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................ 55 Conversations about Space ......................................................................................... 56 Conversations about Phenomena ................................................................................ 64 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 74 Qualitative Research Design ....................................................................................... 76 The Case Study Approach .......................................................................................... 77 Landscape of Practice ............................................................................................. 79 Archives+, Manchester ........................................................................................... 80 The Royal Library, Copenhagen ............................................................................. 80 Methodological Tools ................................................................................................. 81 Interviews ................................................................................................................ 81 Documentary Research ........................................................................................... 83 3 Exhibition Analysis ................................................................................................. 84 Visitor Studies ......................................................................................................... 86 Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER FIVE: A LANDSCAPE OF PRACTICE .................................................... 91 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 91 A Shift in Focus: increasing visibility; broadening audiences ................................... 92 Experiencing Archives ................................................................................................ 99 Exhibition-making within the Archive ..................................................................... 105 Personal Encounters .............................................................................................. 105 Reflexive Approaches to Exhibition-making ....................................................... 111 Participation and Collaboration ............................................................................ 117 Performativity and Materiality .............................................................................. 120 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 124 CHAPTER SIX: CASE STUDY: ARCHIVES+, MANCHESTER ............................. 126 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 126 An Overview of Archives+ ....................................................................................... 127 Vision, Aims and Planning: towards a user-centred design ..................................... 130 The Space of Archives+: reformulating experience ................................................. 141 The Exhibition at Archives+: visibility and plurality ............................................... 145 Reformulating the Archive: indicating new roles ..................................................... 156 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 161 CHAPTER SEVEN: CASE STUDY: THE ROYAL LIBRARY, COPENHAGEN ... 163 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 163 Shifts in Practice: a cultural agenda at the Royal Library ........................................ 164 Spatial and Bodily: an experimental and developmental approach to exhibition- making ...................................................................................................................... 173 Encountering the Archive: Abramović Method for Treasures .................................
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