This is an era when the approach to knowledge is being rapidly transformed. Facing that, museums, as an acknowledged public intellectual figure, have been given a higher expectation. To fulfil a due new role, I would argue that besides preserving human treasures, museums ought to utilize its rich collections to furnish the broad audience with new perspectives, to advance their comprehension of the past and present.

Museums first emerged as little more than private collections of artifacts serving the wealthy elite class. Objects, referring to various cultures, were gradually accumulated as a method of preserving the historic heritage. Through the collection and displaying one’s status in the society of higher class might also be indicated, as pieces with exoticity were often regarded as precious or personal gains from some glorious explorations.

To put it in a broader context, an international network commenced when the Europeans began to expand their territory, witnessed by the gathered pieces with varied origins. The rich cultural mix had proven beneficial to a museum as it assumed the role of an institution after becoming accessible to the general public. A pedagogical purpose was thus acknowledged. Objects were assembled in sequence to demonstrate a certain aspect of an era, area or community, educating and inspiring the public.

However, this would possibly arise problems concerning the dissemination of knowledge. An established exhibition, following a specific thread or based on the curator’s intention, might demarcate the audience’s perception of the represented. Moreover, situating an artifact in a foreign environment could fully alter its very essence, showing a correspondence to the colonial period when those objects were first discovered. They were acquired by dominating outsiders, taken from their possessors, then viewed as little more than merely trophies, souvenirs, or in any way but in its original state.

Therefore, to add to its principal function as a storage of knowledge, museums, especially in a post-war contemporary time, need to attempt to construct a multi-perspective space for learning. How the artifacts are displayed, how an exhibition is curated should particularly bear the aim to break dichotomies, which requires unconventional ways of curating and displaying.

To exemplify with, an recent small-scale exhibition in British Museum ^[1] can further specify my arguments. Through objects collected across East and South Asia, it gives an unorthodox look at Europe, casting light on its complex relationship with Asia from the 18^th century to the middle 20^th century. Trade, conflict, Christianity missions are all presented, as well as a series of illustrations and prints themed on the ridicule and mocking of Europeans. Serving a mixed audience with various backgrounds, the collection has, to a certain extent, challenged the mainstream perception of the westerners, along with their established image of pioneers and dominators. Under such circumstances, it is by no means deliberately pleasing the easterners nor smearing the other group, but only uncovering an insightful approach to the past.

1. What is Europe? - Views from Asia (2018) [Exhibition]. British Museum, London. 23 August 2018 - 21 October 2018.