What makes a ‘Great’ museum?  This is a big question and it seems one that had generated more questions and raised new uncertainty, as opposed to being answered.

At the recent Making a ‘Great’ Art Museum: Contending with Southeast Asian Modernities and Art symposium organised by the NHB Academy and Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, many questions were raised.  In other words, a genuine discourse took place.

Some speakers questioned the very notion of modernity, debating the difference between modernity and modernism.  Some questioned the definition of ‘great’ and whether the objective of a museum is to be ‘great’.

It all seemed very profound but in general, the consensus was that the very idea of one museum presenting and introducing the histories of our regional ancestors is a major challenge.

No case studies were presented; further underscoring the fact we must establish a Southeast Asian art museum that is truly our own, without the spectre of the West and with an aura that is truly Southeast Asian.  What exactly does that mean?  Well, Southeast Asia is diverse yet distinct, mixed yet uniformly unique, multifaceted yet solitary.

In a nutshell, it is complicated.

The speakers further proposed theories of egalitarianism and impartiality.  In other words, a sense of objectivity and open-mindedness in the museum’s programming.  They want us to embrace art but beyond that, they also want us to adopt a new form of lifestyle and mindset.  Are we able to cultivate this new fashion of living?  It seems we are.  Many expressed optimism and confidence in our region, citing the powers and forces of Asian tigers, our precise geographical location and our rich history.

From the symposium, we hear  that it is not just about the art but the fact that the National Art Gallery, Singapore fulfils the ambition of a nation and a region.  Above being a tourist attraction, it fills a gap on the global art map that is currently gasping with the absence of something uniquely Southeast Asian.

It seems the Gallery has been entrusted with this mission and from the symposium, one can tell they are hard at work.