Toy Story

Childhood versus Children in Toy Museums

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4886791
AutoresAnne Jodon Cole (0000-0001-6693-7072, University of Humanistic Studies, autor correspondente), Eva Petersson Brooks (Aalborg University)
Ano2017
Volume14
Fascículo2
Páginas294-312
Data de publicação2017-06-09
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoMuseum and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1479-8360 • E-ISSN: 1479-8360
EditoraUniversity of Leicester (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.29311/mas.v14i2.675
OpenAlexW2245888917
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas7

Toys are considered to be children's cultural objects, yet when placed in a toy museum context they become a collection for adult viewing. This article uses Kress and van Leeuwens' concept of 'semiotic landscape' wherein the exhibit provides a specific context of communication that becomes a mediating device between adults and children. The question then becomes, how does a display of static toys speak to a child's culture of play? Through interviews with toy museum curators and personal observations it was found that the exhibition was designed to have adults share and reflect stories about the toys with children. Such activity reflects a representation of toys as collections for adults (child's perspective) rather than the playthings of children (children's perspectives). Material culture of children was implicitly represented through playful, sensory, and affective engagement.Key words: toy exhibits, material culture of children, semiotic landscape, play, narratives

Aesthetics · Art · Exhibition · Linguistics · Literature · Narrative · Semiotics · Sociology · Visual arts · Art Education and Development · Crafts, Textile, and Design · History · Museums and Cultural Heritage · Psychology