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REVIEW BY HILARY FORREST
This thoroughly researched book contains a wealth of material, and covers the frequently discussed question of how Egyptological displays should be planned and designed, both culturally and ethically. The main focus is on the place of modern art in relation to ancient materials, and how the display of both contemporary art and archaeology affects our interpretation of the past. As Stevenson points out, few of the Western modernist artists inspired by ancient Egypt actually set foot in the country: their ‘encounter with Egypt’ came from museum collections and artefacts. The decision to display such works in Egyptology galleries was one of aesthetics (to ‘brighten the place up’), rather than archaeological context. But, she asks, have museums ‘really embraced the opportunity to take an objective look at their traditional approaches to the display and presentation of their collections’?
The author takes her material from work carried out in a selection of locations – including several in Britain, as well as museums in Germany, France, and Italy – and examines their philosophies. The use of contemporary art and its function within these various museum spaces is discussed and evaluated, developing a contemporary museology theory. The text is densely written and has the academic feel of a PhD thesis, so is unlikely to be of interest to a general reader. But there is much material here for a specialist to use in their research, and plenty of scope for discussion for someone familiar with the issues covered.
Contemporary Art and the Display of Ancient Egypt
by Alice Stevenson
UCL Press, 2025
ISBN 978-1-8008-755-2
Hardback, £45; free download: www.uclpress.co.uk
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