From Royal Garden to Natural History Museum

In Touch in Museums, editor Helen J. Catterjee references Donald Preziosi's development of Foucalt's thesis by concluding that: "the museum was not only productive of knowledge about objects but functioned as 'an instrument for the manufacture of ... societies, ethnicities, races, classes, genders, and individuals; of history, progress, and moralities (ibid)."

As such, it is no surprise that le Musée d'Homme is under renovation as I discussed in my previous post. It does bring to question the museums of "natural history" however.

In the first place, "natural history" infers that this history in an absolute, indisputable truth, and it is perhaps with this conclusion that those who were excavating for museum materials (most notably skeletons of extinct plants and animals) justified their quests throughout the world. The Galleries de Paléonthologie et d'Anatomie comparée compare such materials in an encyclopedic matter. Dinosaurs for example, have been reconstructed and displayed with pride in order of their development and extinction with a nod to the place in which their remains were found.

The Grande Gallerie de l'Evolution, on the other hand, has taken a more "modern approach." Housed in a similarly open and airy environment, natural light is replaced with colored lights which, in my opinion, provide a more "science fiction" feel. Animals are displayed with labels in modern glass cases or in the center in of the rooms where they appear to migrating, hunting, or playing with each other. Interactive activities invite children and adults to get a sense of their natural environments and identifying characteristics. There is even an educational space specifically for children.

It is as if, in Judith Matsai's terms, the museum's philosophy is such that "the museum is an education resource for lifelong learning, [and thus] the task changes in order to identify multiple points of entry for visitors of many sorts and kinds, based on differences in age, gender, race, ethnicity, levels of knowledge about history, about art history, and so on."

Both strategies are, in my opinion, effective, but the visitor to the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution is made to feel more a part of the natural and historical development of the world. There direct relationship between man and animals is discussed (due in no small part to the fact that they simultaneously exited--as opposed to most if not all of the creatures displayed in the Galeries de Paléonthologie et d'Anatomie comparée). As seen in the photo above, s/he is even, as seen above, called to question the role s/he plays in nature as the world continues to develop.

Harvesting Equality at Le Jardin des Plantes

What began as Le Jardin de Roi, has become an institution for scientific, historic, and obviously, botanical study. The grand buildings surrounding the beautiful French-style gardens include the Mineralogy and Geology Gallery, Discovery Room, Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy Galleries, The Grand Gallery of Evolution, The History of the Jardin des Plantes, and a small zoo. Many exhibits are interactive, too. It's no wonder it attracts families from all over the world.

And it is perhaps for this very reason that le Musée d'Homme has closed. "The formation of the public museum embodies a principle of general human universality in relation to which, whether on the bias of the gendered, racial, class or other social patterns of its exclusions and biases, any particular museum display can be held to be inadequate and therefore in need of supplementation." (Tony Bennett, The Birth of the Museum, p. 91) Being that the museum was founded in the 18th century and has displayed human evolution ever since, many controversial issues must be addressed before its projected reopening in 2014. There's great potential for social change if accomplished effectively.

Le Jardin des Plantes

Où? 52 rue Cuvier, 2 rue Buffon, 36 rue Geoffrey-Saint-Hiliare, place Valhubert, 75005 Paris

Quand? Daily, 7:30am-7:45pm (summer); Daily, 8am-5:30pm (winter) - individual museum hours vary

Comment? Metro Austerlitz, Censier Daubenton, Jussieu; RER C; Bus 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89, 91

Le musée Fragonard

At 6 years old, I was convinced I should be a veterinarian. I'd always preferred stuffed animals over dolls, I often played "vet", and the local veterinarian hospital had a small apartment above it with big windows in front, otherwise known as the perfect place for my easel. Somewhere between then and now though, I realized I don't love biology.

With that said, I didn't expect not enjoy France's oldest and one of the world's first veterinarian museums. And yet, I didn't. I attribute this to its unique origins as first, a cabinet of curiosities (a random collection of spectacularly odd items meant to shock and impress fellow Renaissance aristocrats), and second as an educational space for veterinary students. I am neither. Still, I appreciate it as the most unique museum space I've ever been to! As for those with interests in biology, medicine, and the intersection between the arts and sciences, I highly recommend you visit as well.

Le musée Fragonard

Où? 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort

Quand?Wednesday & Thursday, 2pm-6pm; Saturday ; Sunday, 1pm-6pm

Comment?Metro Ecole Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort; RER Maisons-Alfort; Bus 24, 203, 204, 207, 125, 78, 325

{Photo Source}