The Witness as Object
Video Testimony in Memorial Museums
Nonfiction, History, Jewish, Holocaust, Art & Architecture, General Art, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
| Author: | Steffi de Jong | ISBN: | 9781785339035 |
| Publisher: | Berghahn Books | Publication: | January 31, 2018 |
| Imprint: | Berghahn Books | Language: | English |
| Author: | Steffi de Jong |
| ISBN: | 9781785339035 |
| Publisher: | Berghahn Books |
| Publication: | January 31, 2018 |
| Imprint: | Berghahn Books |
| Language: | English |
In recent years, historical witnessing has emerged as a category of "museum object." Audiovisual recordings of interviews with individuals remembering events of historical importance are now integral to the collections and research activities of museums. They have also become important components in narrative and exhibition design strategies. With a focus on Holocaust museums, this study scrutinizes for the first time the new global phenomenon of the "musealization" of the witness to history, exploring the processes, prerequisites, and consequences of the transformation of video testimonies into exhibits.
In recent years, historical witnessing has emerged as a category of "museum object." Audiovisual recordings of interviews with individuals remembering events of historical importance are now integral to the collections and research activities of museums. They have also become important components in narrative and exhibition design strategies. With a focus on Holocaust museums, this study scrutinizes for the first time the new global phenomenon of the "musealization" of the witness to history, exploring the processes, prerequisites, and consequences of the transformation of video testimonies into exhibits.
