Discourse analysis II is the second method derive from the Foucauldian method, it focusses on the institutions and their practices and the production of subjects. Discourse analysis according to Rose (2001) use a similar method as discourse analysis II but focus on the discourse production through institutional apparatus and technologies.
Within the institutions, as a main focus of Foucault, is the power/ knowledge.
By studying an institution with discourse analysis II can explore how power is saturated in the intuition, how objects and subject positions are produced in particular ways, all through the institution apparatus and technologies.
One must first understand the core notions of institutional apparatus and technologies.
Institution apparatus is “the forms of power/ knowledge which constitute the institutions: for example, architecture, regulations, scientific treatises, philosophical statements, laws, morals, and so on, and the discourse articulated through all these.” (Rose, 2001, p.166)
Institutional technologies are the practice to manifest the Institution apparatus. The two notions are so highly related that sometimes it is hard to distinguish the two. An example will help to provide a more concrete explanation. Institution apparatus can be the “do not touch” policy in a museum and the Intuitional technologies are the practice to impose such rules.
The sources for discourse analysis are diverse and it is usual to use a wide range of sources. Those sources can be, for instance, written texts on the institution in the past and the current discussion of it. Interviews with people that work with the institution. Photographs and images are sources that can show the architecture of the institution. Visits and observe the way people work with the institution is often the important source to conduct the analysis.
Case study: Belvedere museum in Vienna
In Rose (2001) discussion of Bennett (1995) studies on museums and galleries, she points out the Bennett’s way of seeing modern museums as institutions that exercise discipline and surveillance similar to the Foucaultian discussion of prisons. There are specific discourses on science and culture that constitute to the power of museums. Through the discursive apparatuses, several subjections are produced. The technologies in an institution, and as relate to the case study here, the museum, focus on the display and layout. Rose (2001) listed the technologies in museums like display techniques, the textual and visual displays and the layout the display rooms that can analyze in a museum.
The Belvedere museum exhibits paintings and sculptures. Displays of paintings are mounted on walls and no protective cover on them. The sculptures are also mostly open display that are not protected by glass cases. The visual and spatial organization of the museum is consistence and organized. Different individual rooms have similar size and style of hanging paintings on the wall.
The effect of the hanging practice as suggested in Rose (2001) is to encourage a contemplative way of viewing and to produce an individualized way of viewing.
Labels and captions are placed next to each painting, including the title of the painting, the name of the artist and the year when it was painted. Captions are displayed outside the room to provide information on the period/ style of the paintings. This information contained in the labels and captions as suggested by Rose (2001) prioritize certain aspects or information about the paintings
Most of the paintings are hung on wall wall to provide a clear view of the painting. The display room of the famous painting “Kiss” by Gustav Klimt and his collection show a spatial organization that contrast the famous “Kiss” to other collections with its design. Paintings are hung on the white walls on the two sides and the “Kiss” painting hangs on a black wall in the middle. Seats are placed in the middle of the room. The displace of painting on white wall again suggest that those paintings are to be contemplated without distractions. The black wall, in this case, the black show the importance of the “Kiss” as it is placed differently from the other paintings.
The museum is also an institution that discipline and educate the visitors. This demonstrates the power of the museum. The Belvedere Museum is one that impose strict rules to the victors. No photo, backpack or umbrella is allowed in the museum. The non touch rule is imposed of course. The rules are enforced with the warders in the museum. There are many guards watching the exhibits that enable the power and discipline of visitors’ behavior. However, as Rose (2001) concern with the effectiveness of the disciplining, from the observation, it sometimes fails. There is where surveillance by other visitors, which force one to self-discipline.
The museum that is open to the public still as an institution creates certain kinds of visitor. The The Belvedere museum is an art museum; those paintings require prior knowledge of the paintings. It is more about contemplating as a “higher” form of viewing. And as well serve an educational purpose.
Through the case study one can understand how museum as an institution exercise power. The institutional apparatus are the rules and ideologies of the museum. The institutional technologies to practice those apparatus can range from the displays of artworks, the layout of the display room to the surveillance and self-disciplining.
Reference List:
Rose, G. (2001). Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials. London: Sage. (Chapter 7: Discourse Analysis II: Institutions and Ways of Seeing)