As much as Larkin's images explore the politics of museological display, one important factor is not openly acknowledged, namely that they of course participate in the very same practice. The image "Museum 6" makes this particularly clear by highlighting multiple layers of framing and looking. Wall murals in the Military Museum architecturally frame garden vistas on which a large history painting represents a battle scene whose explanatory plaque is being scrutinized by two women. This scene was seen and captured by the photographer at whose photograph we are now looking in a museum, which has its own way of conferring importance, in a gallery on the building's lower floor that also houses the auditorium and education office. Participation in the discourse of power and display is inevitable.
Britta Konau can be reached atcuratorbk@gmail.com.
"JASON LARKIN: PAST PERFECT" | through November 27 | at the Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum Street, Rockland | 207. 596.6457 | farnsworthmuseum.org
Topics:
Museum And Gallery
, Photography, Museums, Egypt, More 
, Photography, Museums, Egypt, Farnsworth Art Museum, Farnsworth Art Museum, Art, galleries, Less 
