Thesis Chapters by Nicola Kritzinger
The thesis 'Collecting China in South African Museums: Object biographies of Han dynasty míngqì (... more The thesis 'Collecting China in South African Museums: Object biographies of Han dynasty míngqì ( )' uses a methodological approach that unravels the stories of a handful of Han dynasty (206 BC -AD 220) funerary objects in South African museums. Looking at museums through accessioned objects, I explore the changes that have occurred in museum policy over the last century.
Image Appendix to PhD Proposal
What reasons can be determined for the presence of Han dynasty míngqì (明器) in South African museu... more What reasons can be determined for the presence of Han dynasty míngqì (明器) in South African museums? What can these objects reveal about histories of collecting and curatorial policy in these institutions? What can the objects tell us about different kinds of value attached to collectible items? In order to explore these questions, it is necessary to consider collecting policies, accessibility, research and exhibition history, and other changes that have occurred over time in these institutions, revealing a grander social and institutional narrative. In this proposal I outline my approach to answering these questions necessary to write a dissertation. I will examine written policy, and in the absence of formal policy I will examine curatorial process made visible to understand changes in museum policy over time. A close reading of six Han dynasty míngqì will allow me to investigate museum practice and the history of these artefacts will reveal purpose and intention, or a lack thereof. This proposal regards literature relevant to answering my questions and it explores what I have already discovered about the míngqì in South African museums and collecting policy.
Conference Presentations by Nicola Kritzinger
The thesis 'Collecting China in South African Museums: Object biographies of Han dynasty míngqì (... more The thesis 'Collecting China in South African Museums: Object biographies of Han dynasty míngqì ()' uses a methodological approach that unravels the stories of a handful of Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 220) funerary objects in South African museums. Looking at museums through accessioned objects, I explore the changes that have occurred in museum policy over the last century. I examine how these objects act as signifiers for the political shifts in South Africa over the last 150 years. Considering individual histories of each object reveals a greater museum narrative, value shifts over time, and illuminates a broader political landscape that influences the relevance of museum collections. It is necessary to engage with collecting policies, accessibility over time, previous research, exhibition history, and other changes that have occurred in these institutions, portraying a grander social and institutional narrative. A close reading of six Han dynasty míngqì allows for the investigation of museum practice. I examine written museum policy, and in the absence of formal policy I search for evidence of curatorial process made visible to understand changes in museum policy over time. The histories of the artefacts reveal curatorial purpose and intention, or in certain cases, a lack thereof. Aside from this study, very little research has been done on early Chinese objects in South Africa. The Wits History of Art department runs an Object Biographies program in which previously silent museum objects are researched in order to reveal their histories, and the greater narratives around them. My own methodological approach is aligned with this object biographies focus. I examine several objects from several institutions across South Africa, looking at museums through the constellation of objects, revealing an entwined narrative that tells a far greater story. A paper for the Forum East Asian Art History would delineate my methodological approach, and briefly explore how looking from a two thousand year old Chinese object in a South African museum can elucidate the changes that have occurred in museum policy over time.
Chinafrika Symposium (Goethe Institut, Johannesburg 29–30 April 2017)
For the ‘chinafrika’ confe... more Chinafrika Symposium (Goethe Institut, Johannesburg 29–30 April 2017)
For the ‘chinafrika’ conference paper I outline some of the reasons behind the presence of early Chinese ceramic objects in South African museums and briefly discuss their trajectories from China to South Africa. I will briefly expand on the histories of the objects before acquisition, and their histories in South African museums; looking at policy, display and research. Most significantly, I will discuss the 'place' these objects hold in South African museums in the contemporary moment, outlining current policy and interaction with the objects, imagining a future for their place here.
An abstract for a paper presented at the Forum Ostasiatische Kunstgeschichte (Berlin, 16-17 June ... more An abstract for a paper presented at the Forum Ostasiatische Kunstgeschichte (Berlin, 16-17 June 2017) delineates my methodological approach aligned with an object biographies focus. I examine several objects from several institutions across South Africa, looking at museums through the constellation of objects, revealing an entwined narrative that tells a far greater story, and briefly explore how looking from a two thousand year old Chinese object in a South African museum can elucidate the changes that have occurred in museum policy over time.
Abstract for conference 'Working on Things', Berlin, November 2016.
Papers by Nicola Kritzinger
Books by Nicola Kritzinger
The Youxiantang Collection of Chinese Art is a South African private collector's catalogue. There... more The Youxiantang Collection of Chinese Art is a South African private collector's catalogue. There are over a hundred objects in the collection, carefully put together over thirty years. With over 200 illustrations, the catalogue describes each object in detail, with reference to similar examples and relevant texts. Published by Pyxicephalus Publications in 2016.
Book Reviews by Nicola Kritzinger
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Thesis Chapters by Nicola Kritzinger
Conference Presentations by Nicola Kritzinger
For the ‘chinafrika’ conference paper I outline some of the reasons behind the presence of early Chinese ceramic objects in South African museums and briefly discuss their trajectories from China to South Africa. I will briefly expand on the histories of the objects before acquisition, and their histories in South African museums; looking at policy, display and research. Most significantly, I will discuss the 'place' these objects hold in South African museums in the contemporary moment, outlining current policy and interaction with the objects, imagining a future for their place here.
Papers by Nicola Kritzinger
Books by Nicola Kritzinger
Book Reviews by Nicola Kritzinger
For the ‘chinafrika’ conference paper I outline some of the reasons behind the presence of early Chinese ceramic objects in South African museums and briefly discuss their trajectories from China to South Africa. I will briefly expand on the histories of the objects before acquisition, and their histories in South African museums; looking at policy, display and research. Most significantly, I will discuss the 'place' these objects hold in South African museums in the contemporary moment, outlining current policy and interaction with the objects, imagining a future for their place here.