The Empty Room

The location and appearance of the British Museum can be described as grand, intricate, and full of history, correctly reflecting the multitude of artifacts inside of the building. Upon entering into the museum, I was surprised to see such a modern design in the Great Court. However, after spending a few moments inside of the courtyard, the cohesiveness of the room with the artifacts is apparent. The design by Foster and Partners continued the use of a neutral palette, tile, and columns that can be found throughout the museum. Continuing past the crowded rooms which contain the Rosetta Stone and parts of the Parthenon, I entered into the Persian room which was relatively empty. The ruins of a palace in Iran caught my attention and the didactic left me with many unanswered questions.

After researching, I learned that the palace of Persepolis is a World Heritage UNESCO site. This structure was built in 518 B.C. as a symbol of the wealth and power of the Achaemenid Empire. The architecture of the building was modeled after the Mesopotamian buildings yet had many significant improvements. For example, the king of the Achaemenid Empire at the time, Darius I, helped design a beautiful terrace in which architects were able to use a remarkably minimal amount of columns which were very slender for the time. Because the roof was built with lighter materials, there was less of a need for supporting beams allowing for a greater emphasis on constructing large monuments to honor the king. The design of the reception rooms and size of the palace are incomparable to any other standing structures at the time it was constructed.

The importance of an artifact is often undermined in comparison to other well-known relics. This does not negate its value or its deserving to be studied. The destruction of Persepolis by Alexander the Great is symbolic of his desire for complete power. While the devastation of a historical sight today is viewed as reckless, the ransack of the capital by Alexander was a symbol of his control and dominance. This developed fear and obedience in his new subjects and ensured he was ruler not Darius I.

While in a museum, it is very easy to disregard the importance of the exhibits and fail to remember that they were once a part of life not merely a piece of the past. This is comparable to the advertisements which are viewed everyday. John Berger comments "We are now so accustomed to being addressed by these images that we scarcely notice their total impact." Both advertisements and artifacts are constantly being shown to the public in various settings yet they rarely inspire action. While most people do not understand their significance, this does not mean they do not deserve to be displayed. This is a concept understood by the art curators who help form museums. While there is a massive amount of money required to fill a museum with artifacts, the cost is free to the public. This emphasizes the importance of access to learning.

As I exit the museum through the Great Court, I see it differently. The combination of cream and white tones are no longer boring but fitting for the space. The modern design which leaves the room rather empty makes the simple embellishments intentional. There is value in examining the seemingly ordinary and exploring the rooms which no tourist wants to enter.