Discover the captivating journey from Te Papa Tonagarewa, New Zealand's national museum, to the German Jewish Museum Berlin in 'Te Papa to Berlin - The Making of Two Museums'. This insightful book, authored by Ken Gorbey, delves into his remarkable 15-year tenure developing Te Papa, a revolutionary cultural institution that reshaped how we perceive museums. Journey through the challenges and triumphs faced by Gorbey as he was called upon to rejuvenate the Jewish Museum Berlin in 1999—a museum on the brink of failure. Under his visionary leadership, a passionate team transformed a struggling institution into one of Germany's premier cultural landmarks, housed in the iconic design by architect Daniel Libeskind. This book offers an engaging insider perspective on the evolution of cultural identity, nation building, and the vital role museums play in healing societal wounds and reconciling complex histories. 'Te Papa to Berlin' is a testament to the power of leadership and the meaningful impact of cultural institutions. With dimensions of 150 x 230 mm and 280 pages in a paperback format, this brand new release from Otago University Press is a must-have for museum enthusiasts and cultural history aficionados alike. Explore the transformative power of museums through Gorbey's eyes and appreciate major shifts in museum practices. We are proud to combine shipping, ensuring you receive your order seamlessly. Smartfox is a NZ owned business based in Auckland, and this product is in stock in New Zealand—meaning no unexpected import charges, customs duties, or taxes await you.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 280
Bind: paperback
Author: KEN GORBEY Publisher: Otago University Press


Ken Gorbey is a remarkable man who for 15 years was involved with developing and realising the revolutionary cultural concept that became Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. Then in 1999 he was headhunted by W. Michael Blumenthal to salvage the Jewish Museum Berlin, which was failing and fast becoming a national embarrassment. Led by Gorbey, a young, inexperienced staff, facing impossible deadlines, rose to the challenge and the museum, housed in Daniel Libeskind’s lightning-bolt design, opened to acclaim. As Blumenthal writes in the foreword: ‘I can no longer remember what possessed me to seriously consider actually reaching out to this fabled Kiwi as a possible answer to my increasingly serious dilemma …’ but the notion paid off and today the JMB is one of Germany’s premier cultural institutions. Te Papa to Berlin is a great story – a lively insider perspective about cultural identity and nation building, about how museums can act as healing social instruments by reconciling dark and difficult histories, and about major shifts in museum thinking and practice over time. It is also about the difference that can be made by a visionary and highly effective leader and team builder.

We are happy to combine shipping. Smartfox is a NZ owned business located in Auckland. This product is in stock in NZ which means no unexpected import charges, custom duty or tax.