'Orphans and Rich People': A Discourse Analysis of the 'Children's Lives' Exhibition in Birmingham, UK

Authors: McDougall, J. and O'Connor, J.

Journal: Children and Society

Volume: 29

Issue: 4

Pages: 321-330

eISSN: 1099-0860

ISSN: 0951-0605

DOI: 10.1111/chso.12025

Abstract:

In 2012, an art gallery in Birmingham, England presented an exhibition of 'Children's Lives'. Through its curation of photography, fine art, objects, video and text, 'Children's Lives' claimed to 'let childhood through the ages speak for itself' and to contribute 'to a debate over what it means to be a child'. In this article, we offer a critical analysis of the exhibition, examining the relationship between the exhibition as discourse and the 'external' discourses around childhood that are reinforced, negotiated and in some cases challenged by the assemblage of image, text and the spatial 'narrative' of the gallery.

Source: Scopus

"Orphans and Rich People': A Discourse Analysis of the "Children's Lives' Exhibition in Birmingham, UK

Authors: McDougall, J. and O'Connor, J.

Journal: CHILDREN & SOCIETY

Volume: 29

Issue: 4

Pages: 321-330

eISSN: 1099-0860

ISSN: 0951-0605

DOI: 10.1111/chso.12025

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

'Orphans and Rich People': A Discourse Analysis of the 'Children's Lives Exhibition, Birmingham, Uk

Authors: McDougall, J. and O'Connor, J.

Journal: Children and Society: the international journal of childhood and children's services

DOI: 10.1111/chso.12025

Abstract:

In 2012, an art gallery in Birmingham, England presented an exhibition of ‘Children’s Lives’.

Through its curation of photography, fine art, objects, video and text, ‘Children’s Lives’ claimed to ‘let childhood through the ages speak for itself’ and to contribute ‘to a debate over what it means to be a child’. In this article, we offer a critical analysis of the exhibition, examining the relationship between the exhibition as discourse and the ‘external’ discourses around childhood that are reinforced, negotiated and in some cases challenged by the assemblage of image, text and the spatial ‘narrative’ of the gallery.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Julian McDougall