The article critiques museum labels for their inadequacy in addressing political realities, colonial histories, and systemic oppression. The author argues against a prevailing belief that art visitors are turned off by politically charged content, suggesting that such claims lack empirical evidence. By examining prevailing critiques that presume to understand public sentiment, the author highlights the importance of recognizing diverse visitor perspectives. A visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition demonstrates the rich historical engagement that artworks provide, countering the reductionist views expressed by some critics.
"One must ask: which visitors? Specifically the visitor writing the article? Of course, many sincerely hold this view, but I know of no peer-reviewed survey that reflects the dominance of this attitude..."
"Common to many critiques is a particularly pernicious trope: an assumption that commentators know the feelings of an amorphous 'general public'."
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