This thesis aims to explore the use of costumed interpreters at museums. Firstly the thesis examines how extensivethe use of historical costumes is in Sweden, along with some international comparisons. Later on the differentways that the clothes are used is examined, and the costume as a resource for learning is discussed. In the lastpart of the thesis the “function” of the costume is examined. Two different theories are used to study the costumedinterpreters: performance-theories and communication-theories. The different methods used in the thesisincludes studies of literature, web pages, reports and conducting interviews with museum staff concerned with clothing. The result of the thesis is new perspectives on costumed interpreters, where the costume is seen as an activesubject that creates the presence of history. The costume also helps the staff from the museum to control the visitorsby giving the interpreter authority and making him/her a link to the history. The costume also changes thebehavior of the wearer, even if the person isn´t a part of an educational role-play at the moment. This can be seenas the wearer leaving his/her private self and entering a professional role. The costume is a support and a façadefor the interpreter. The costume as a resource for learning is also examined and the costume is an excellent toolfor starting a dialogue with the visitors. The costume is an introduction to discuss clothing, fashion and technicalinnovations, but gender, ethnicity, class and other subject can also be discussed through the costume. The possibilitiesfor the interpreter depends on the clothes, but also the interpreters and the visitors knowledge, relation toclothes and the selection of information and stories that is made. Gerbners model for communications is re-madeto describe the communication between the clothes, the wearer and the visitor. The thesis ends with a summaryand suggestions on continued
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-154658 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Norman, Adam |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för ABM |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Uppsatser inom musei- & kulturarvsvetenskap, 1651-6079 ; 82 |
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