from The Guardian
A renaissance in peril
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Nicolas Serota's brief commentary on the state of UK museums is timely, and especially resonant on the occasion of the International Museum Day (18 May). It is also interesting to recall Serota's earlier comment on the need to avoid "national or social chauvinism" when determining acquisition priorities - in the case of significant paintings in danger of being sold and hence leaving the country.

However, would not the plea for greater funding support for British museums be a kind of "national chauvinism"? But one wouldn't think so, probably. Perhaps, it is inherent in the function of culture (and arts) to, firstly, distinguish - and some would say "discriminate" - that which is culture (or art) and that which is not; and secondly, to differentiate the "good" from the "bad", or what might be termed as connoisseurship - and some would say "elitism". The parameters might shift with historical and social contexts, but the essential function remains.

Efforts to expand these parameters, so that they are more inclusive (such as folk art) and less discriminating (as in social history), are obviously praiseworthy. However, that will be relative in terms of degree, but will not demolish the fact that culture (and art) is essentially about categorisation and connoisseurship, which would entail a sense of judgment and comparison.