Abstract
This thesis examines the social reality of Western museums in Bali, Indonesia in order to understand the larger relationship between Western institutions and indigenous cultures in the postcolonial world. Using qualitative data gathered during four months of fieldwork in 1991, this study investigates the Balinese perceptions of museums and the impact of these institutions on a culture that does not adhere to nor adopt Western definitions of time and material. The study draws on recent theories within the field of museum studies which view museums as instruments of Western domination and which emphasize the political roles museums play as creators of culture, certifiers of national identity, and promoters of tourism. The study reveals, however, that although museums in Bali operate under Western definitions that challenge Balinese tradition, the Balinese have molded museums to fit their cultural reality.
Advisor
McConnell, David
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Walsh, Murray G., "Institutions of Decontextualization: A Field Study at Museums in Bali, Indonesia" (1993). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 5580.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/5580
Publication Date
1993
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 1993 Murray G. Walsh