{"product_id":"the-museum-of-the-senses-experiencing-art-and-collections-sensory","title":"The Museum of the Senses: Experiencing Art and Collections - Sensory","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Museum of the Senses Constance Classen examines how museums and artworks can be understood beyond vision, arguing that sensory experience reshapes art history. The book is for readers curious about the cultural history of perception and museum professionals seeking fresh ways to interpret collections. Its single biggest reason to buy is the vivid reorientation it offers: rather than treating artworks as purely visual objects, it restores touch, smell and even taste to the narrative, showing how senses shaped use and meaning in historical collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSensory-focused approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reframes art history by emphasizing how people historically handled, smelled and perceived collection pieces, which changes interpretation of objects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide-ranging examples:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on topics from relics and cabinets of curiosities to the tactile quality of a Rembrandt and the scent of Monet's garden, illustrating concepts with concrete cases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traces practices across periods to show how sensory engagement with collections shifted over time and affected social meaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concludes with discussion of modern museums using interactive and multimedia displays to stimulate the senses, useful for practitioners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthoritative voice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by a leading scholar in the cultural history of the senses, providing well-informed interpretation rather than speculative claims.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Museum of the Senses is best for museum studies students, curators and scholars of sensory history who want a focused study on how nonvisual perception informs collections and display. Those already familiar with mainstream visual art history will find its reframing both provocative and practical for exhibition ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general survey of art movements or a richly illustrated coffee-table book should look elsewhere; this is a scholarly, argument-driven volume that emphasizes interpretation and cultural context over visual reproductions or catalog-like detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eOffers a distinctive, research-driven perspective that reintroduces touch, smell and taste into museum narratives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eUses evocative examples like relics and Monet's garden to anchor theoretical points in real objects and practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProvides practical connections to contemporary museum practice, useful for curators planning interactive exhibits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot a pictorial guide; readers looking for many images or mainstream art history overview may find the focus narrow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Museum of the Senses: Experiencing Art and Collections\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSensory Studies Series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConstance Classen, David Howes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultural history of the senses, museum studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTouch, smell, taste, relics, cabinets of curiosities, interactive displays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMuseum professionals, students, scholars\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Museum of the Senses is a thought-provoking, well-researched book that invites museums and readers to rethink how objects were experienced. It is good value for anyone interested in sensory history or practical museum interpretation, offering usable concepts rather than decorative visuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book discuss modern museum practices?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It concludes with a discussion of contemporary museums using interactive and multimedia displays to stimulate the senses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a heavily illustrated volume?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book emphasizes argument and cultural history over pictorial presentation, so it is not a visual catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho authored the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is written by Constance Classen with David Howes, both associated with sensory studies and cultural history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Constance Classen, David Howes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48613609373915,"sku":"1474252435","price":132.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91IBJh-0mvL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778408381","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-museum-of-the-senses-experiencing-art-and-collections-sensory","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}