The Performance of Viking Identity in Museums

The Performance of Viking Identity in Museums explores the representations and uses of Vikings in museums across Iceland, British Isles and Norway.

The Performance of Viking Identity in Museums explores the representations and uses of Vikings in museums across Iceland, British Isles and Norway.

Drawing on theories from history, philosophy, museology, and sociology, the book analyses how the Viking myth is used by visitors to make sense of present-day society, culture, and politics and the role of museums in this meaning-making process. Demonstrating that the Viking myth is present in collective memory and plays an important role in the construction and modification of collective, national, and personal identities, the book analyses this process through the framework of museums and their visitors. Identifying museums as places where heritage, identity and social norms are affirmed and reflected upon, Whitehead demonstrates that all countries use their Viking heritage to define their identity on a local and international level - through tourist attractions such as museums and other Viking-related monuments and merchandise.

Providing readers with an insight into Vikings and their social relevance today, The Performance of Viking Identity in Museums will be of great interest to academics and researchers across the social and human sciences. It should also be essential reading for museum professionals working in museums around the world.

Autorentext

Gudrun D. Whitehead is an assistant professor in Museology, University of Iceland. She focuses on the display and uses of cultural stereotypes such as Vikings, subculture, the uncanny and disruptive elements of society, including horror, punk, human remains and unconventional museum displays.

Inhalt

Introduction: Introducing the Vikings
Part 1. Guide us through storms that whip: Methodology and case study analysis
Chapter 1. Case studies analysed
Chapter 2. Visitor and staff interpretations of the exhibitions
Part 2: Fara á brott með víkingum: Historical Vikings and images of the past
Chapter 3. The Viking Age and the Viking image: A brief overview
Chapter 4. Are You a Viking? The current image of Vikings
Chapter 5. Collective Memory and the Viking image
Chapter 6. Creating Meaning: Representation of Vikings in Museums
Part 3. This Viking sure is striking: Present day influences and uses of Vikings
Chapter 7. Historical distancing
Chapter 8. Identity creation in museums
Chapter 9. Nationalism
Chapter 10. Otherness of past and present