Abstracts
Abstract
Focusing on the internationally significant photographic collections at the National Science and Media Museum (Bradford, UK), this article explores the central questions: What counts as ‘scientific’ in a museum dedicated to the history of photography (as well as film, television, and digital media)? And what is the place of photography in the history of science and technology? The article explores a set of photographic collections in the UK and Canada and offers a framework for thinking about the relationship between the histories of photography, histories of science and photography, and institutional collecting practices.
Keywords:
- Collections,
- History of Science,
- Museums,
- Photography,
- Visual Culture
Résumé
En mettant l’accent sur les collections photographiques d’importance internationale du National Science and Media Museum (Bradford, Royaume-Uni), cet article explore les questions centrales qui suivent : qu’est-ce qui est considéré comme « scientifique » dans un musée consacré à l’histoire de la photographie (ainsi qu’au cinéma, à la télévision et aux médias numériques)? Et quelle est la place de la photographie dans l’histoire des sciences et de la technologie? L’article explore une série de collections photographiques du Royaume-Uni et du Canada, et offre un cadre de réflexion sur la relation entre l’histoire de la photographie, l’histoire de la science et de la photographie, et les pratiques de collection institutionnelles.
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Appendices
Biographical note
Dr Geoffrey Belknap is Head Curator at the National Science and Media Museum (NSMM). He is a historian of photography, science, and visual culture in the 19th century. In 2017-2018 he was also Curator of Photography and Photographic Technology at the NSMM. He has published articles and chapters in the history of science, photography and visual culture. His first monograph, From a Photograph, on the history of photography in 19th century periodical publication, was published in 2016 by Bloomsbury Press.