Proposal for an interpretive exhibition itinerary for "Cilicia museum" - Antelias - Lebanon

Abstract

The aim of this project proposal is to produce an elaborate and extensive document that would serve as a consultation file to be used by Cilicia Museum, if ever the museums Board would wish to renovate the permanent exhibition space. This paper thus delineates the detailed steps for recreating the entire storyline of the Museum so as to render the visitors route interpretive and didactic, i.e.: an itinerary devoted to historical, religious and ethnographical themes, with the necessary explanation of contexts and concepts through more interactive displays. The museum preserves part of the religious history of the Armenian Nation. However, its scenography is mostly based on aesthetic display and has no clear storyline. Consequently, the museum is devalued and plays no significant role in communicating a sociopolitical message. It cannot remain stagnant when the MENA region is currently overwhelmed with negative currents. An institution of that significance should play a vital role in countering destruction and devastation, by promoting actively the conservation and the preservation of the memory of a people among other things. The first three chapters present a historical and contextual analysis consisting of different studies that serve as primary data and based on which the proposed new exhibition storyline was expanded. Chapter 4 starts with a mission and vision for the museum. The concept and synopsis of the new suggested storyline are presented, along with an extensive excel sheet that organizes and categorizes the different sections of the exhibitions path. Each section contains details of the chosen displayed content and some scenography indications. Chapter 5 presents samples of panel texts and label texts that come as complementary indications to assist the future workforce in their job. Finally, the conclusion and some practical recommendation will be found in chapter 6. This study would, among other things, bring the existing institution up to par, raising it to international museum standards. It will also make the museum more accessible to its primary audience of school and university students, both Armenians and non-Armenians, chosen because we believe that they are the pillars of the future.