RESEARCH PROPOSAL

ON

THE PROPOSED NATIONAL ART MUSEUM LAGOS

WITH EMPHASIS

ON

THE EFFECTS OF LIGHT ON ANTIQUITIES

BY

OMOBULEJO OLUSOLA OLUMIDE

ARC/01/0455

M-TECH ARCHITECTURE

COURSE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ARC 805

LECTURER

PROF. O.O. OGUNSOTE

APRIL 2008.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

3.0 JUSTIFICATION FOR STUDY

4.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

5.0 HYPOTHESIS

6.0 SCOPE OF THE DESIGN

7.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

8.0 METHOD OF RESEARCH

9.0 EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MUSEUM

The Lexicon Webster Dictionary (Volume 1) traces the meaning of museum from its

Greek origin. Museum was originally meant to be a temple of muses. Muses were the

Greek goddesses that presided over the arts. However, its English meaning is a Building

or an area used for exhibiting objects connected with literature, Arts and science. A

museum presents reminders and proofs of either past times or of a passing time, a type of

arresting a past period so as to give people a close look at the period.

The percentage of the word “Museum” can be traced to the Greek and Latin derivations.

The Greek form, Museum” means seat of the muses and designated a philosophical

institution or a place of contemplation. The Latin form “museum” appears to have been

restricted mainly to places of philosophical institution or a place of contemplation. The

Latin form of “Museum” appears to have been restricted mainly to “places of

philosophical discussions”.

The origin of the twin concepts of preservation and interpretation, which form the basis

of the museum, lies in the human prosperity to inquire and acquire. Collection of

objective has been found in Paleolithic burials. While evidence of inquiry into the

environment and communications of the findings could be seen in the cave and military

art of the same period. A development toward the idea of the museum certainly occurred

early in the second millennium B.C at Larsa in Mesopotawa, where copies of old

inscriptions were made for use in the schools.

The word museum” was revived in 15th century in Europe to describe the concepts of

comprehensiveness rather than denoting a building. By the 17 th century “museum” was

being used in Europe to describe collection of curiosities.

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The first of the corporate museum to receive such a collection, erect a building to house it

and make it publicly available was the University of Oxford. The building was its

Asmolean museum opened in 1683.

2.0 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Museum lighting is a complex subject, it is important in Art museum to determine a clear

policy on the approach to natural and artificial lighting.

The problem statement is the control of Natural lighting on collections initiating chemical

change in vulnerable materials.

3.0 JUSTIFICATION

Direct sunlight must not fall on any collection item and UV radiation must be effectively

eliminated from all light reaching a collection item. The eye has a limited ability to adapt

to changes in brightness, and as the visitor moves through the museum sudden changes in

lighting levels and extreme contrasts of brightness is not good for comfort. This project is

justified because if the collection is not put in museum; it may be difficult to preserve the

collections in their natural form for future generation.

4.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

AIMS

To design a National art museum of International Standard with cost effectiveness where

our cultural and tradition artifacts can be preserved for coming generation.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of speculating a museum for the town includes the following:

1. To provide a building that would function as a museum where the public’s

various socio-cultural needs can be catered for

2. To provide facilities that will encourage cross-culturisation, instilling unity

between the people of Lagos and the other tribes.

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3. To provide an architectural edifice reflecting the works of art of the Lagos and

the other tribes

4. To provide a serene atmosphere where the people can enjoy the works and

beauty of art through recreation and relaxation.

5. To relate educational services and stimulate creative activities of the various

ethnic cultures.

6. To create and protect public interest in museums

7. To establish a source of income for the government as well as job opportunity

for the people like the talented craftsmen. Skillful artists, painters and other

people in the field of arts.

8. To provide a place where the past can be linked to the present and the future.

5.0 HYPOTHESIS

Below is a set of preliminary assumptions which account for a set of facts; taken to be

true for the purpose of research and testing a theory light controls on collections in

museum.

Ho1 Direct lighting on collection does not have any negative effect on them.

Ho2 Direct sunlight cannot cause chemical change to vulnerable materials.

Ho3 UV radiation must not be eliminated from every light reaching a collection.

Ho4 Sudden change in light levels and extreme contrast of brightness is good for

comfort of visitors

6.0 SCOPE OF THE DESIGN

The proposed museum is within the limits of the requirements of the National

Commission for Museums and Monument to bring unity to the diverse culture in the

country. Hence the proposed museum will include the following:

1. A gallery and an exhibition hall

2. A library (Education/information)

3. A multipurpose hall

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4. Administrative offices

5. The craft village

6. Archaeological department and research unit

7. A sculpture garden

8. Workshops.

9. Art Studio

7.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

7.1 ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF MUSEUM IN BRIEF

The origination of the museum can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C.

The origins of the time concepts of preservation and interpretation which for the basis of

the museum lies in the human propensity to inquire and acquire. The idea of the museum

certainly occurred early in the second millennium B.C at Larsa, in Mesopotamia, where

copies of old inscriptions were made for use in schools. The criteria were met by Sir

Leonard Wooley’s discoveries in the sixth century B.C Babylonian city of ours. The great

Museum at Alexandra founded by Ptolemy Soter late in the 3rd century B.C. with its

college of scholars and its library were more of a prototype university than an institution

to preserve and interpret material aspects of the heritage.

In 1675, the collection, having become the property of Elias Ashmole were transferred to

the University of Oxford and the building constructed to receive it were opened to the

public in 1693. This was later known as the Asmolean Museum.

The first of the corporate bodies to receive such a collection publicly available was the

University of Oxford. The building was its Ashmolean Museum, opened in 1683. The

Ashmolean later moved to another new building which was occupied by the museum of

the History of Science (called from Macro Britannica Encyclopedia Vol. 24 page 478-

480).

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7.2 MUSEUM IN NIGERIA

In Nigeria, attempts begun as early as the late 1930’s by some British officers namely,

Messer K.C. Murray, E. H Duckworth and A Huntcooke, to establish museums. This was

borne out of the need to preserve cultural items in the country against the threats of

destruction. C Publication of National Commission for Museum and Monument.

Today, museum movement has increased in scope and types. Apart form antiquities and

ethnography museums, museums in Nigeria now include museums such as natural history

and modern arts.

Museums have been established in the principal cities of Nigeria by the National

Museums and Monuments Commissions to assist in developing cultural identity and

promoting national unity. The Jos museum, one of the National Museums, also

administers a museum of traditional craft while others have developed workshops, where

traditional crafts can be demonstrated. (Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 24 page 483.)

The Yoruba people inhabit a large part of South Western Nigeria. Their art traditions are

of considerable antiquity. Excavations at Ife, in central Yoruba land, have shown that

naturalistic sculpture in brass and pottery was being produced by the 12 th century A.D.

The sculpture mass represents royal figures and their attendants, and life-size portraits

head in brass were perhaps used as part of funerary offices.

Traditions assert that the Yoruba town of Ile-Ife was the centre from which this art and

the type of monarchy that supported it spread to other parts of the region. Modern

archaeologists have found nothing to contradicts this and have moreover provided

evidenced for existence in Yoruba land of a high degree of urbanization by at least the

11th century.

The archaeological evidence of the NOK culture shows that the inhabitants of central

Nigeria engaged in agriculture and were using iron and other metals by about 3000B.C It

is generally accepted that the terra-cotta sculptures associated with NOK as processors of

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the latter colour sculpture of South Western Nigeria. (Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 24

page 816).

In Nigeria the museum is being controlled by the national and monuments commission,

under the umbrella of Federal Government of Nigeria. This commission has however,

through its unrelenting efforts assisted in developing cultural identity and promoting

national unity by establishing museums round the floor corners of the country. The

commission has undoubtedly established museums in the following towns and cities –

Lagos. Jos, Kano, Benin City, Kaduna, Owerri and Abuja, while it is still being

propounded for more cities and towns.

Lagos museum at Onikan is the National headquarter for the Commission while the

museum is the first of its king in the country established in the year 1934. But the Jos

museum is the center for field Archaeology Jos museum also administers a museum of

traditional building, while others have developed a workshops where traditional crafts

can be demonstrated.

7.3 TYPES OF MUSEUM

Classification of museum is uncertain. This uncertainty is by virtues of the origins,

varying philosophies and differing roles in society. Nevertheless, different opinions were

made for speculations. In its own contribution, Britannica Encyclopedia (macro)

concluded and classified museum as follows:

i. Art Museum:- The art museum (called an art gallery in some places) is

concerned primarily with the object as a means of unaided communication

with its visitors. Aesthetic value is therefore a major consideration in

accepting items for the collection. Traditionally, these collections have

composed painting sculpture and decorative arts. A number of art museums

have included the industrial arts since the 19th century, when they were

introduced particularly to encourage good industrial design. Some art

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museums have turned to the earlier custom of hanging paintings in order to

exhibit more of their works.

Another factor in the display of art objects concerns their continued

preservation. Because of the sensitivity of some of the materials used in their

creation, it is necessary to control within narrow limits the temperature,

humidity and lighting to which they are exposed. In addition sophisticated

security precautions are necessary for items of high value.

ii. History Museum:- The term “history museum” is often used for a wide

variety of museums where collections are massed and in most cases, are

presented to give a chronological perspective. Because of the encompassing

nature of history museums this type may well hold so many objects of art and

science that they would more properly be called general museums.

iii. Ethnography Museum:- This museum collects and exhibits material on

ethnographic view point. As the term suggest, emphasis is placed on culture

rather than chronology in the preservation of the collections. The ethnography

museum is common among the newer national states of Africa and Oceanic,

where it is seen as a means of contributing to national unity among different

cultural groups. In many cases, the collections reflect country’s trade or

colonial connections. Common are museums concerned with preserving urban

and rural traditions, these have rapidly increased in number with the pace of

technological progress.

iv. Archaeological Museum:- Increasing interest in antiquities led to the

excavation of loan archeological sites and had an impact on museum

development.

v. General Musuem:- Certain general museums reflect the influence of cultural

contact made through trade. Some museums hold a number of important

specialized collections that would qualify them to be grouped in more than

one category of specification. This is true particularly of many of the large

general museums, which may have collections in one or more fields equal to,

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if not exceeding both the quantity and quality of material exhibited in a

specialized museum.

7.4 THE MUSEUM OPERATIONS

THE ORGANIZATION OF MUSEUM

On the international level, the United Nations educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO) forms an important link between governments for museum

collaboration. Since its inception in 1946 it has been responsible for an increasing body

of legislation to protect the world’s cultural property. UNESCO has aided in the return of

cultural property to its country of origin and also has initiated campaigns to ensure the

protection of major world heritage sites. It has provided financial assistance for the

renovation of older museum, and the establishment of new ones particularly in

developing countries.

7.5 LEGAL ARRANGEMENT

Legislation concerning preservation of cultural property is to be found at both the

national and international level, and has a considerable history. Museums may be either

privately or publicly administered. The former have grown considerably in number.

Some of these corporate standing under general legislation and receive public moneys. A

government founded museum, usually located in the capital city, ha sits own legislation

that empowers a board of trustees, independent of government, to administer the funds

allocated and guide the museums policies.

The lack of well-defined legislation to outline objectives concerning the museum’s

function and its administration and the variety of interpretation of the museum’s role by

policy makers, has led a number of professional association to attempt self regulation

through codes of ethnics and professional practice. While the codes are not normally

mandatory, they have contributed toward more consistent professional standards among

museums.

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7.6 FUNDING OF MUSEUMS

The main source of funds for museums in the public sector remain the local or national

government and the funds are subject to government policies that have little bearing on

the particular requirement of museums. Many museums were founded through private

benefaction, and a few have endowments that help to support their routine operation.

Fund raising may be under taken by the museums, by a commissioned organization.

Many museums charge entrance fees to help finance operation but some countries such as

U.K. have a strong traditions of free entry to museums. Some museums charge admission

fees only for major exhibitions commercial activities have become a significant feature of

many museums. These may take the form of restaurants or shops that provide a service to

visitors as well as incomes to the museum.

7.7 COLLECTION

The history of museums and the precursors indicates influence that the existence of a

collection has had on the founding of museums and therefore on the nature of their

original holdings. Before the 20th century, few museums were established with the goals

of making a collection, instead created to receive an existing collection.

Methods of collections reflect the fact that museum is concerned not only with

collections per se but also with information inherent or associated with the. Where

applicable, direct acquisition through fieldwork is made preferred. This involves

collecting material through archaeological, excavation, ethnological expeditions or

natural science fieldwork.

Indirect acquisition is handled through purchases, gifts and loans of objects. The

disposals of museum collections in part or in full therefore normal only occur in cases

where items of longer serve useful interpretative purpose.

7.8 DOCUMENTATION

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Documentation is a significant function of any museums whether it holds only a few

hundred objects or as in the care of the large institutions, many millions of items. Quite

apart from the need for records to maintain adequate control of its connections, a

museums documentations system provided an indispensable record of the information

associated with the objects for research. It may also include records, indirectly associated

with the collections to facilitate the museum’s interpretation and work.

7.9 CONSERVATION

A museum prime responsibility must be to maintain its collections and to do all possible

to delay the natural laws of deterioration. The acquisition of an item almost certainly

brings it into a new and potentially alien environment. Material that has been recovered

from the ground through archaeological excavation may need immediate treatment to

stabilize it, in many cases, it is important that some attention be given before it reaches

the museum. In addition conservation involves the treatment, and where feasible, and

where feasible and acceptable, the restoration of objects as ready as possible to their

former condition. Most large museums have their own laboratories where preservation

and restoration work is carried out, and some take on projects for the other museums as

well. In some cases, for example the British museum, a separate research laboratory

providing advance scientific equipment for the analysis, dating and identification of

materials is provided. Some museums are served by independent conservation

laboratories.

7.10 RESEARCH

Because they hold the primary material evidence for a number of subjects convened with

an understanding of man and his environment, museums clearly have an important role in

research. The museum’s research program is related to its objectives as an institution.

The research can be in catalogues or other publications, for promoting a better

understanding of the region it serves.

Active research and publication on a given topic, apart from contributing to the academic

standard of the institution, may attract further collections relevant to the topic.

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7.11 EXHIBITION

Museums have sought the expertise of a number of specialist designers, educators,

sociologists and interpreters to improve communications through objects. The result has

been a remarkable transformation in the presentation of information, both in permanent

collections and in special exhibits. Museum concerned with a particular region have

arranged tropical exhibitions to tour the area, and in places without suitable premises for

display or in sparsely populated areas, exhibitions have toured in specially adapted buses

or trains.

7.12 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

The contribution that museums can make to education is widely acknowledged. The

majority of their clientele learn by looking at exhibition and displays. Special rooms

equipped for teaching and for handling specimens are provided in many museums by

allowing the study and handling of objects from its collections, the museums can give

substance and form to the bare facts of art, history and science. Teaching may be

undertaken by the museum’s educational staff or more often, by the school teacher, who

would have been advised and instructed by the staff.

Apart from such faculties, schools and colleges also make use of public displays to teach

specific topics. For advance studies, the availability of museum collections can be in

indispensable (Culled from Britannica Encyclopedia vol 24 page 486-489 15th education)

8.0 METHOD OF RESEARCH

Qualitative and quantitative approach will be adapted. Both will go together in the

process of thus research. The questionnaire will be sub-divided not five parts i.e. survey

of back ground information of respondents, understanding of terminal survey. Physical

development survey, socio-economic activities, via insular and pedestal circulation.

About two hundred questionnaires are expected to be administered to the visitor to

museum.

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The analysis would be done by simple questionnaire analyses method using tables and

graphs. Qualitative aspect of the research will be done by oral discussion with visitors

and museum workers.

The period of the research shall be six month. There will be case – study of three existing

museum centre in Nigeria

9.0 EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE

The concept of coming up with this thesis write-up to provide and promote through

architecture, a modern place for social information, education, gathering and exhibition

of traditional and cultural heritage that sums up what the Lagosians stand for and the

country as a whole. It is aimed at achieving an outstanding architectural master piece,

denoting strength and simplicity of the indigenes of Lagosians township.

This report is developed out of great interest and enthusiasm that the design proposal

will also help to solve many problems militating against the growth and rich cultural

heritage of the people and will also help to keep for as long as possible the deteriorating

and loss of antiquities treasured by the different ethic groups.

The write-up however discusses the development and activities inside and around a

museum including case stud, planning construction system and landscaping. It also

provides further explanations on the special function of museum buildings.

Furthermore, museums are built in order to collect, preserve, study and exhibit objects.

Museum concept and formation arises from the passion for collecting various objects,

which are deeply rooted in human nature, in all levels of development and civilization

which shares a common desire of collecting and keeping them in order to benefit from

them later in future.

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10.0 CONCLUSION

The importance of museums as buildings of great significance that act as a central point

for revival of customs, traditions and culture of the people cannot be over-emphasized.

This proposed museum will undoubtedly resolve some problems encountered by the

existing museums due to the defect that the demerits of these museums have been

critically considered in designing the proposed NATIONAL ART MUSEUMS.

Moreover, it will also promote prolong and protect the cultural heritage of the various

ethnic groups and tribes in the country and that of the lagosians in particular. In achieving

this, however, the proposed museum would have adhered to the Federal Government

edict of 1979 that a museum of National unity should be built in every state of the

federation to encourage unity amongst the various ethnic groups in the country.

The museum also serves as an avenue for social enlightenment and commercial purposes

through the use of the multi purpose hall and craft village. The government will be able

to make more money for its maintenance.

Hence, in conclusion, the museums significance has been made clear through the

achievement of the following.

1. The provision of a comprehensive museum where community’s various social

cultural needs would be met.

2. The promotion of the cultural richness of the various people in Nigeria

3. The provision of an edifice for the enlistment of culture

4. The offering of a design solution conscious of aesthetic and maintenance

requirements.

5. The contribution to a traditional and contemporary architecture.

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11.0 REFERENCE

Exhibition Guide, Music, Dance and Yoruba Culture; A publication of the

National Commission for Museums and Monuments Nigeria.

Neufert Architects’ Data 2nd English Edition

Time saver standards for building types fourth edition

by Joseph Dechiara, Michael J. Cxrosbie.

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