The paradox of access: The 21st century museum confronted by its security

Keywords: Museum entry, threshold, security elements, most visited museums, access ritual

Abstract

Access is a key element for an architectural work. In museums, access takes on special significance due to the connection between two very different worlds, and it is therefore associated with an ‘access ritual’, in which three parts can be considered for study: preliminary, liminal, and postliminary. Recently, the enforcement of security elements has been implemented differently and in distinct parts of the entrance, which, in many cases, breaks the flow of passage. To analyse this situation, we have examined the seven most visited museums in the world and two emblematic cases in France, where the ‘ritual of passage’ is contrasted with security elements, in order to reflect on how to link security elements to museum access.

Author Biographies

Laura Gallardo-Frías, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

LAURA GALLARDO FRÍAS; B.Arch. PhD.

Received her B.Arch. from Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña in 2003. Earned her PhD. degree in architecture and urban planning from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in 2012. She has two degrees in philosophy and aesthetics from the universities Alberto Hurtado and Católica de Chile, respectively. Currently works as an Associate Professor at Universidad de Chile. Her main lines of research are the theory and practice of architectural projects. lauragallardofrias@uchilefau.cl

Departamento de Arquitectura, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Santiago de Chile, CHILE.

François Mairesse, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, France

FRANCOIS MAIRESSE; MA, MBA, PhD

Received his MBA at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (1986-1991), his MA in Art History at Université libre de Bruxelles (1991-1994). Earned his PhD at Université libre de Bruxelles (1994-1998). Currently works as Professor at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris) as UNESCO chair for the Study of Museum diversity and its evolution. Major research interests include museology, museum economics and museum management. francois.mairesse@sorbonne-nouvelle.fr

Département de Médiation culturelle, UFR Arts & Médias, Sorbonne nouvelle, Paris, France.

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Published
2021-12-31
Section
Original Scientific Paper - Second Part