ASHMITHA ATHREYA

HEAD OF OPERATIONS, TRUSTEE, LEAD STORYTELLER

Madras Inherited

Published image from page 59 of Musings about Museums
Published page 59 · Enlarge page

As part of International Museum Day, we have two walks happening in two different museum galleries.

The main goal behind conceptualising walking tours/walks inside museums was to make these places accessible to everybody, break down the complex nature of art and artefacts and present them in a manner that any layperson could understand and connect with. The walking tour in the National Art Gallery has been designed to provide an understanding of the art history in Madras, a look at the several styles and mediums of painting which were prevalent, and a transition into the rise of modern artists and art. By this, the group gets to experience the journey and evolution and understand how internal and external elements, aside from the effects of colonization, affect and influence one another.

On the other hand, the tour through the Police Museum provides insight into the workings of the curatorial team, as well as the procedures and actions that they take to create and build a museum that offers visitors an engaging and participatory experience.

By providing these differences, we believe walking tour participants will have an informed grasp of the front-end and back-end components of museum presentation and design.

An additional benefit is that these galleries are housed in historically significant buildings that are themselves outstanding works of art. Because of this, the walking tour gives participants a comprehensive grasp of the space and opportunities to make connections between art and architecture.

Furthermore, walks like these also help facilitate interaction with people who have diverse interests and backgrounds, which allows the group to view the exhibits. Through these walks, museums are seen in a different light, as a space that is not intimidating but welcoming.

The greater goal for the city's museums is to make them more widely available and approachable so that people from all walks of life can benefit from the information they give. It would be fantastic to have museums that discuss a variety of facets of the city's history and legacy and provide a springboard for a deeper understanding of the city.

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Original published page 59
Original page 59 · Open image to enlarge
Original published page 60
Original page 60 · Open image to enlarge

Originally published in Museum Mosaic 2023, published 2024.

Part of our annual review. Descriptions reflect the publication’s reporting period.