Omodern kunskapsförmedlare eller demokratiskt nav till för alla? : hur diskurserna kring museiarkitektur och verksamhet avspeglar tankar om museernas roll.

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis is to further the understanding of the interaction between museum architecture and the daily operation of the museum, eg the exhibitions, work shops and other activities and how this affect the way we may understand the function of a museum. I have used Norman Faircloughs critical discourse analysis to analyse several articles concerning the resent construction of two museums in Sweden, Världskulturmuseet in Göteborg and Moderna Museet in Malmö. The articles come from all of the big daily newspapers in Sweden and also, to broaden the perspective, the architect periodical Arkitektur. I have identified five different discourses in the articles, ranging from the importance of architecture, the museum as a catalyst for economic growth to the out-of-date museum and the ”sense or sensibility” discourse of the museum operation. With the aid of these discourses and museological research I have tried to sketch the different functions that these museums have, according the newspapers. For example I have found that the function of place marketing is very strong for Moderna Museet in Malmö, where much importance is put on what this museum will do for the local economy, and the function as educator, witch traditionally has been very important, is almost non existent. Lastly my research has shown that the museums have a multifaceted identity with many different functions in todays society.