The definition of what it means to be a ‘museum’ has been constantly changing. The word originates in the Temples of the Muses – ancient Greek goddesses of the arts among whom were the Muses of Comedy and Astronomy alongside more traditional museum subjects, such as History.
On the surface museums seem to show us who we are but their real mission is to transform. Visiting a great museum you should emerge as a different person, having looked at your society and your place in it, and reconsidered how you will live in it – ideally for the better.
