curatorial
curatorial
Pronunciation
curatorial (American English)
kyʊrəˈtɔriəl (British English)
kjʊrəˈtɔːriəl
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
cu-ra-to-ri-al
cu - k (voiceless velar plosive), jʊ (near-close near-back rounded vowel)
ra - ɹ (alveolar approximant), ə (schwa)
to - t (alveolar plosive), ɔ (open-back rounded vowel)
ri - ɹ (alveolar approximant), ɪ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel)
al - əl (schwa)
Word Form Variations
The term "curatorial" primarily functions as an adjective. Here's the breakdown of its variations:
Singular: curatorial (e.g., curatorial practice)
Plural: curatorial (e.g., curatorial decisions)
There are no verb forms or other noun variations derived directly from "curatorial."
However, related terms exist that might be useful depending on the context:
Noun:
Curator (the person responsible for the care and exhibition of a collection)
Curatorship (the role or function of a curator)
Verb:
Curate (to select, organise, and present items in an exhibition or collection)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Since "curatorial" primarily functions as an adjective, here's the breakdown for that word class:
Adjective:
Definition: Relating to curators, their work, or the principles and practices of curating collections or exhibitions.
Synonyms: curatorialist (less common), exhibitionary
Antonyms: There aren't direct antonyms for "curatorial," but depending on the context, you could use terms like uncurated (informal), haphazard, or disorganised to describe something not following curatorial principles.
Examples of Use
Here are some real-world examples of how "curatorial" is used:
Books:
"Her curatorial vision transformed the museum's collection from a hodgepodge of artefacts into a cohesive narrative." (hypothetical historical fiction novel)
Newspapers:
"The critic praised the exhibition's innovative curatorial approach, which placed historical photographs alongside contemporary artwork." (The New York Times) [News source might vary depending on location]
Online Publications:
"The online platform offers a wealth of curatorial resources for aspiring museum professionals." (Museums & More website)
Entertainment Mediums:
In a documentary about a fashion exhibit: "The curator discusses the challenges and rewards of creating a thought-provoking curatorial experience." (PBS documentary)
General Public Discourse:
"I appreciate the museum's commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives through its curatorial choices." (Social media post about a museum visit)
"They have a great eye for design – their apartment feels very curatorial." (Conversation about someone's taste in home decor)
Bonus Example:
Video game: In a game where the player manages a museum, they might encounter tasks related to "curatorial decisions" or "implementing curatorial strategies."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Curatorial
While "curatorial" is a useful word, it's not as common in everyday speech or famous quotes. Finding ten quotes directly using "curatorial" might be difficult. Here are some alternatives:
Marcel Duchamp (artist): "The creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications and adding his own contribution to the creative act." (This quote captures the essence of curatorial practices in engaging the audience with the artwork.)
Elaine de Kooning (artist): "A collection is a portrait of the collector as well as the artists collected." (This quote highlights how curation reflects the curator's taste and perspective.)
Harold Rosenberg (art critic): "The essence of modern art lies not in the imitation of natural appearances, but in the creation of a new appearance." (This quote reflects the curatorial role in selecting and presenting art that challenges traditional norms.)
James Baldwin (writer): "You can't write a story about America without the Negro. It is the dark brother. You can't have light without a shadow." (This quote emphasises the importance of curating narratives that encompass diverse perspectives, a concept relevant to curatorial practices in museums and exhibitions.)
Umberto Eco (writer): "Libraries as the mind's gardens." (This metaphorical quote evokes the role of curators in selecting and organising information, similar to how a gardener cultivates a space.)
Quote about Libraries: "A library is not a luxury but an essential part of a democratic society. It enables people to be informed citizens and to continue learning throughout their lives." (This quote, though not directly mentioning "curatorial," reflects the importance of curation in creating accessible and informative collections.) [You can find many quotes about libraries online]
Quote about Playlists: "The perfect playlist is a curated journey through sound and emotion." (This quote, though informal, uses the concept of curation in the context of music selection.) [You can find many quotes about playlists online]
Social Media Curator Quote: "In today's information overload, social media curators play a vital role in filtering and selecting content that is relevant and engaging for their audience." (This quote is more recent and reflects the growing importance of curation in the digital age.)
Fashion Curator Quote: (Similar to the example above about home decor) "A fashion icon's style choices can be seen as a form of personal curation, reflecting their taste and personality." (This quote uses "curation" in a more informal way.)
Museum Mission Statement: (Many museums incorporate the concept of curation into their mission statements) "Our mission is to curate and exhibit collections that inspire learning, spark dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of human history and culture." (This example showcases the role of curation in museums.)
Etymology
The word "curatorial" comes from the Latin word "cura" which means "care." Think about how you "care" for something you own, like a pet or a plant.
The first time we see "curatorial" used in English was around the 1390s. Back then, it wasn't exactly about museums and exhibits. Instead, it referred to someone who took care of something specific, like a person's property or even a child. Over time, the meaning shifted to focus more on the care and management of collections, especially in places like museums and libraries.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Curatorial
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "curatorial," here are some phrases that incorporate the word and related concepts:
Curatorial eye: This describes someone who has a discerning taste and can select interesting or valuable items for a collection. (e.g., "She has a real curatorial eye for vintage clothing.")
Curatorial decision: This refers to a choice made by a curator regarding the selection, display, or interpretation of objects in a collection or exhibition. (e.g., "The decision to group these paintings thematically was a bold curatorial decision.")
Curatorial intervention: This describes a deliberate action taken by a curator to shape the audience's experience with a collection or exhibition. This could involve the arrangement of objects, the use of multimedia elements, or accompanying text. (e.g., "The interactive displays were a welcome curatorial intervention that engaged younger visitors.")
Curatorial lens: This metaphor describes a particular perspective or approach used by a curator to interpret and present a collection. (e.g., "The exhibition explored the artist's work through a feminist curatorial lens.")
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Source Information
Definition of curatorial from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
