Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit exhibitions. But what goes into making a good exhibition? Why are some so much better than others? And what choices and issues do curators confront? Why is it not just a simple matter of taking pretty things and putting them in boxes or on walls?
In this talk, Daniel Slater will explain how an exhibition is put together and what makes an exhibition valuable and exciting. Exhibitions are not just hoards of objects: they involve selecting and presenting objects to tell a persuasive story—a story which ideally appears compellingly natural to the visitor. So the curator’s task resembles the advocate’s. The curator is confronted with a range of available objects, just as the advocate is confronted with a range of available evidence, and must decide what story those objects will tell, choose those that will serve that purpose, and arrange them in a way that allows the meaning to emerge from them.
In doing this—like the advocate—the curator faces ethical choices. Is the story true? Who is the story true to? How do the stories we choose to tell (or to ignore) reflect the lived experience and values of the audience? Which audiences will count? Just as the law is sometimes accused of discounting the lived experience of many in society, so museums are having to confront (as lawyers must) how far their “neutrality” and “objectivity” is truly neutral and objective.
Guest Speaker: Daniel Slater
Daniel Slater trained as a historian (QMUL) and obtained his MA in Museum Studies from UCL. He has worked at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, White Cube, and the Tate Gallery. He has worked with museums to present exhibitions throughout the world, from Beijing to Santiago. He is currently Director of Exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with responsibility for working with curators and designers, and leading the team of specialists who develop and present the V&A’s ambitious international programme of exhibitions in fields ranging from renaissance sculpture to modern fashion. He has a particular interest in expanding audiences, and in contemporary art and queer history.
Students/Hall Members/Benchers: Guests welcome
Members of other Inns also welcome - contact the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800 to book.
A selection of canapés will be served after the lecture. If you (or your guests) have any dietary requirements and are unsure about anything please speak to the events staff on duty.
Non-alcoholic alternatives will be provided on request.
Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session
After this session, students should be able to:
How professional lawyers conduct themselves in their interactions with their clients, their professional colleagues and opponents and the courts is self-evidently both of concern to the profession and a public interest matter.
Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement
If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk
Members of the Inn can buy tickets online by clicking ‘Add to Cart’. Please note that you must log in to book (if you have not yet created a log-in please register first).
Members of other Inns can buy tickets from the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800.
Unless the event sells out earlier, booking will close at 16:00 the day before the event.
Cancellations:
Where we have a waiting list we will offer your ticket to someone else, so please do cancel your ticket if you are no longer able to attend.
If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Richard Frost.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Richard. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Middle Temple endeavours to make the Inn as inclusive as possible for all of its members, guests and staff.
If you have questions regarding religious practice at the Inn or at Inn events, or if you would like to request support, please email the Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Laura Hacon. The Inn endeavours to make reasonable adjustments where possible.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please be aware that photography, audio and video recording may take place at our events. These may be used for promotional purposes by the Inn, including in printed publications, on our website, and on our social media accounts. If you do not wish to have your photograph taken or to have images of you used, please alert the Membership Team at the start of the event. We are unable to guarantee that you will not be included in the background of photographs that are being taken. Contact: 020 7427 6385, members@middletemple.org.uk
All personal data that the Inn stores and processes is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Inn’s Data Protection Policy. You can ask the Inn to stop using your images at any time, or request to see the personal data that the Inn holds on you. For more information please visit the Data Protection page http://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us/data-protection