The National Museum of China is celebrating its centennial. Its aims are high: to become one of the greatest museums in the world. As such the Museum has been working hard to protect and promote Chinese art and culture ever since it’s founding. But what more can be done in the century to come?
Over the past hundred years, the national museum has made an icon of itself. It maintains nearly 200,000 square meters of land right in the heart of Beijing. It houses more than 1.2 million items in its permanent collection - including many of China’s most valuable national treasures. Add to that the visiting exhibits, and it’s got quite a grand collection indeed. No wonder last year it saw more than 4 million visitors. It also has archaeological prowess of its own.
Not only a venue to showcase all these national treasures, but also has its archaeology research center, including its underwater excavation team.
Archaeology research center（field, aerial and underwater excavation）
The National Museum is the top archaeological institution in China. Its three branches focus on field, aerial and underwater work. In recent years, a focus on the sea has proved the real head-turner. China has 189 known underwater sites of archaeological interest, and scientists today are better equipped than ever to explore them. The museum’s curator is rightfully proud.
Lu Zhangshen, Curator of National Museum of China, said, "China’s soft power is growing rapidly and our museum is a national icon that showcases it."
Some, however, feel that the museum needs to rethink how it approaches its displays. Dr. Julian Raby, who visited the National Museum of China for its centennial, emphasized a need to focus on set and setting.
Dramatic words written on displays
Dr. Julian Raby, director of Freer and Sackler Galleries, said, "In a few of museums, words written on the objects make me go back from the label to the object and back again, like poetry. So great object, great setting, I would argue we need to be a little bit more dramatic on the way we show things."
China has a particular strength here. Its long history gives museums a chance to really tell a story, and make it much more than just a storehouse of history, but a place to capture the echoes of countless lives and memories past.
Protection of precious artifacts
So it would be a real shame if something were to happen to one of the museum’s precious artifacts, but sometimes too much of a focus there can cause quality of experience to take a back seat. Back in the exhibition hall, the majority of staff seems to be employed as guards - protecting the exhibits from potentially damaging camera flashes, rather than working to engage the public.
Some also feel that not enough has been done to provide the services really needed to make the museum a top-notch place of learning. Guides are often scarce, parking is an issue, and many would like to see more events like lectures to really connect with visitors.
Dr. Julian Raby, director of Freer and Sackler Galleries, said, "I think in every case, we should move from the notion of a museum that educates, instead, we should look the museum as a place to provoke thinking."
Qiao Yuchen, high school graduate, said, "The things on display show me a richer glimpse into history. I think museums can inform me of the past, and inspire me to think of the present."
The goal is to make that feeling even stronger.
A platform for education, entertainment and inspiration
Lu Zhangshen, Curator of National Museum of China, said, "We want to build a museum with unique Chinese characteristics, and that demonstrates the richness of Chinese history. But there’s still a long way to go before it can rank among the world’s greatest museums. The museum depends not only on quality of its objects, but also on the quality of the staff and the citizens who visit as well."
Now it has made itself a national and world icon. But where does it go next? A platform for education, entertainment and inspiration. Maybe that’s why, after 100 years, the National Museum is attracting the attention of all these tourists and visitors.