EXHIBITING HISTORY : A STUDY OF THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) utilizes exhibited history to fulfill its given mission as one of the three National Museums. This thesis argues that through the objectification and deliberate emphasis, marginalization and absences of selected aspects of regional history, heritage and memory, ACM aims to promote certain interpretations of Singaporean identity and Singapore's connections with the region for the larger purposes of identity-building and external relations of the state. Previous studies of Singaporean identity and museums have focused on the Singapore History Museum, critically overlooking ACM. Moreover, to its credit, ACM has been garnering raving international reviews. Hence, this thesis shall redress this imbalance by focusing on the ACM's origination in the 1990s. The thesis also explores ACM's attempt to achieve its mission through a study of the objects on display and the manner of display in the ten permanent galleries. This thesis argues that the exhibitions in the Singapore River, China, West Asia and South Asia galleries compartmentalizes Singaporeans' ancestors in categories defined by the state and draw links between these cultures and their present-day manifestations in Singapore. In contrast, the exhibitions in Southeast Asia Galleries are an exception whereby few connections are made to Singapore. A common thread that runs through the galleries is how only the glorious and contributive aspects of these Asian civilizations are highlighted and celebrated. Finally, this thesis shows that despite its seemingly apolitical nature, ACM is a highly politicized institution and its version of regional history, heritage and memory is reflective of changing political concerns and aspirations of the Singapore government.