Some people claim that public museums and art galleries will not be needed because people can see historical objects and works by using computer. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (02 Feb 13/AC).

Answer 1

The view of shutting down of Public art galleries and museums in wake of advances in Information technology seems to be an absurd idea to me. These places play a great role in sensitizing the masses about history, civilization and other aspects to which they are devoted. From my perspective, the technology can only supplement them and not replace them.

Admittedly, the advances in the computer and internet have revolutionised the way people work and access various things. Using this wonder, man can access any information electronically from the remote location and even view the exhibits displayed in the art galleries and museums from his bedroom. Nevertheless, viewing them on screen is certainly different from seeing them in person from the convenience of one’s home. On screen, one can feel the exhibit through only one sense that is vision, however, at the actual place he can employ his other senses, like touch, too to make it more rewarding and memorable experience; which is very hard to get on screen. Learning about a mummy electronically is not the same as knowing about them by paying visit to Pyramids of Egypt or British National Museum.

Besides, archives and Art galleries help the visitors to get the feel by organizing various activities requiring their participation. Some times the skill sessions are organised to help the visitors learn the art. As it is said that ‘A picture is worth thousand words’, In the similar fashion it can be concluded that actual object is no match to the image/video on screen.

It can be summarised that computers may offer the convenient way of getting the information on rare objects or art forms but the can never be a substitute of exhibition halls and art galleries

Answer 2

I tend be at variance with the opinion of doing away with the  Museums and art galleries and to acquire the information online. As I opine the advocates of this view seems to have exaggerated the abilities of computers and undermined that of archives and exhibition halls.

            The museums preserve objects of historical, scientific or artistic  importance and act as repository for the people to learn about them.  Most of the times, the exhibits are rare and hard to find in the day to day life and to learn about them people often pay visit to such places. Besides offering them with the relevant information such visits not only break their monotony of life and rejuvenates them but promote the place, where it is situated, as tourist destination thereby benefiting both the locals and authorities. These benefits would fade away if these are done away with.

          Though using tools of information technology all the information can be remotely obtained from the convenience of home. Nevertheless, viewing onscreen can never match the feel that one can have by visiting such places in person. On screen one can only use his sense of vision, but in the exhibition hall other senses can also be employed  to get the better insight into other aspects of the exhibit.

As it is well said that ‘Walking a mile is worth reading thousand books’, in the same way museums and art galleries provide the rich and rewarding experience that can not be secured by passive activity of surfing the internet.

Eventually,  it can be concluded that computers  can certainly  be used to know about rare objects or various art forms but it is going to be hard nut to crack for computers to replace these place. Indeed, they can only compliment the museums and art galleries and not take their place.

Answer 3

Undoubtedly, museums and art galleries have great role to play to connect the masses to their past or know about their culture, tradition or other aspects to which the place is dedicated and hence are indispensable. The view of using the computer in place of them sound like ludicrous/ preposterous thought to me.

I have reasons to believe so. Firstly, such places offer tremendous features that passive activity of computing can not offer. Museums and art galleries, offer a rich and gratifying experience to the person that is hard nut to crack for electronic forms. The feel that a person can have by interacting with the curator of the museums/gallery, touching sculpture, observing the intrinsic details of the exhibit can not be secured electronically. Such visits often put an indelible impression on one’s mind and the information so acquired tend to be more detailed and long lasting.

In addition to providing details about the exhibits, such places  help the individual to come out of his hectic schedule and have some time for himself, family and friends thus serving as social and recreational activity too.  Further, such places develop as tourist destinations; that promote the local business and thereby benefiting both locals and authorities.

Finally, it can be summarised that though computers can provide the required information without stepping out of your study(room) but still they can not replicate the physical museum and art galleries rather can supplement them.