The meaning of things at Clare Hall

Mr MacGregor is considered the most talented curator of his generation. Whilst at the National Gallery he was the brains behind a string of high profile exhibitions. In 2003 he took on the enormous challenge of running the British Museum. He is coming to Cambridge to talk about his role as curator at the museum, and the insights a collection like that held by the British Museum can offer about the world.

When asked about the lectures, Mr MacGregor said:

"Although the British Museum contains many supreme works, it is primarily a museum of cultures, not a museum of art. It was set up to foster knowledge, but knowledge with a civic dimension. Its aim from its foundation in 1753 was to allow visitors to draw conclusions from the close examination of objects, to understand the world through things.

"In these lectures I want to consider the different kinds of truth that can be derived from objects examined singly, and in the other contexts that a museum can provide. What sort of insights can a collection like the British Museum's hope to offer? How are historical and poetical truths to be apprehended and - no less important - suggested? How far should the aesthetic be privileged over the historic? How is a museum to address both the original and subsequent meanings that cluster round particular objects? How far can different apprehensions and uses of the objects (e.g. secular and religious) co-exist inside the museum, and how far should the museum foster such disparate engagements in the spectators?

"To what extent are the staff of the museum proper responsible for the truths about the objects in their care? Are there limits to the other interpretations that should be allowed within the museum itself?

"How is the civic dimension of an encyclopaedic museum like the British Museum to be defined and realised in the circumstances of today?"

The first lecture is at 5pm on Monday 16th in the Babbage Theatre on the New Museums Site. You do not need to sign up for this lecture, please turn up early though as a large turn out is expected at this event.

The second lecture is at 4pm on Tuesday 17th in the Babbage Theatre, followed by a short break, then the third lecture will start at 5.45pm. Again, no need to sign up, but come early to make sure you get a seat.

On 18 February there will be an all-day seminar at Robinson College where four respondents to Neil MacGregor's lectures will discuss various themes and issues raised. This is also your opportunity to make your point. You DO need to sign up for this event though as space is limited, so please email, or call 01223 332368 to book your free place. Again, please do this quickly because places go very quickly for these events. The seminar starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.