Ivan Karp

This companion volume to Exhibiting Culture (Smithsonian Pr., 1991) contains a series of essays that illustrate both the struggles and the collaborations between museums and the communities they aim to serve. Despite the essay format, common themes emerge. As America makes the transition from an industrial age to an information age, museums must review and revamp philosophy, mission, practices, and services; attempt to reconcile frequently incompatible aims; and alter programming to accommodate more diverse constituencies. In this context, forming a strong communicative circle linking exhibits and viewers is seen as vital to restoring wholeness to our pluralistic cultural arena. The range of voices heard to great effect in the preceding book continue to speak out here. Strongly recommended.'

(Abstract by Vicki Gadberry, Harris Media Ctr., Mars Hill Coll., N.C.)… (meer)

This is a decent ethnographical account, but incredibly (given the title) the author discusses just about every aspect of Kanguru social life except their moral beliefs! He does use the word moral, but not in the usual sense of right vs wrong. His definition of morality on page 2 is "a way of comporting oneself". That explains why this analysis of "moral imagination" meanders this way and that without a clear focus. I was quite disappointed by the author's lack of conceptual rigour. I expected an ethnographic analysis of ideas about right and wrong but that's not at all what this book is.… (meer)