Ashmolean Reborn – New Building, Old Collection
Ashmolean Museum's £61m Extension Completed, Collections Unimproved
Britain's oldest museum, the Ashmolean museum located in Oxford, has finally completed its £61m extension completed. The new addition to the classic museum was unveiled to the public on November 7, 2009. Upon further investigation into the newly finished work and investment, one must beg the question as to how the expansion has affected the status and reputation of one of the world's first purpose built museums, whether positively or negatively, particularly while considering the extension is superficially hidden from the public view.
When the Ashmolean opened its doors on May 24th of 1683, it was the first of its kind to be used to display a fascinating variety of objects collected from much of the known world. It was also the first museum to be opened to the general public, which at the time was considered an unusual and liberal allowance. As the Ashmolean grew as a place of resource for the professors and students at the Oxford University, as well as a public place of learning, the collections grew as materials were gradually acquired from around Europe and the world.
Educational exhibits and displays were the primary focus points for the Ashmolean museum curators throughout its history, the new £61m addition to the museum raises some uncertainty of whether or not the money could have been better spent elsewhere. Considering the fact that the current extension is not publicly visible to the outside world, but rather tucked away behind the current older and original buildings of the Ashmolean, the majority of the investment must have certainly been allocated to acquiring further collections, correct? Not entirely.
The Ashmolean's expansion is headed by award-winning architect Rick Mather. In the new building's modern design, Mather has included a dedicated educational centre and conservation facilities. The addition has also doubled the current gallery space and has allowed for the functions of environmental control, not to mention the new picturesque roof top restaurant overlooking the Oxford skyline gives extra aesthetic effect.
This new layout has been created in an innovative and modern fashion, enabling the museum to more efficiently demonstrate new exhibitions and galleries in unique and interesting ways. Some members of the public, perhaps the more nostalgic, believe this new superficial layout of the actual building is against the true representation the Ashmolean had held over its deep history since its opening using old-fashioned display characteristics to exhibit the variety of collections.
While the opportunities for the Ashmolean to use its new addition's layout are clearly beneficial, it is legitimate to acknowledge the concern of whether or not the new building itself will improve, or potentially hinder, the overall reputation of the Ashmolean. When considering the £61m investment on the building did not include any additional collections, it’s not unreasonable to consider the fact those that come to the museum for new exhibits may feel cheated.
For those that admire the collections and the more conventional display methods that had been used within the Ashmolean for nearly three centuries prior, the new design may be a shock. However, for those that admire the artistic nature of this new building and its stunning aesthetics, it will prove a fine addition, granting the Ashmolean a new architectural allure that grabs the attention of newer museum goers. At the least, one statement on the Ashmolean’s website can be certain: The Ashmolean will, at long last, have a world-class building to match its world-class collections.
Asmolean Under Construction
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