Interview with Alan Borg

Director General of Imperial War Museum, 1982 – 1995.

REEL 1: Background on joining IWM, perceptions of the museum’s primary role on becoming Director, need for the museum to be relevant to newer generations, use of the slogan ‘Part of your family’s history’, public perceptions of the IWM, the ‘three worst words in the English language’, subjects covered by the museum in its atrium and chronological displays, processes involved in Redevelopment including his own appointment, initial plans from the Property Services Agency, appointment of Arup Associates, Sir Philip Dowson and Jasper Jacob as exhibition designers, the decision to use crowded cases and to introduce the Trench and Blitz ‘Experiences’, the art galleries and use of art within general displays, interactive displays, IWM’s audiences, interpretation in the atrium, a proposed sculpture by Anthony Gormley, attitude of the Trustees, the need for the museum to deal with moral questions, representation of the Holocaust within the museum, his awareness of the history of IWM and of Charles ffoulkes, developments in the museum sector during Redevelopment including visits to Disneyland, Staten Island and Vienna, Margaret Thatcher’s political and financial support for the museum, including Duxford and Cabinet War Rooms, the financial support of Paul Getty, representation of contemporary conflicts as well as the post-war gallery and Cold War, contemporary art commissions and the Artistic Records Committee, John Keane’s Mickey Mouse artwork from the Gulf War, the role of art in the displays, the range of IWM’s collections, the ‘corporate spirit’ of the various departments, difficulties involved in the range of the collections. REEL 2: Controversial or sensitive material including the Holocaust and Special Operations, representing Northern Ireland and the Troubles, art commissions, plans for a northern branch in Hartlepool which fell through, consequences of not having redeveloped and the National Army Museum, proposals in the 1980s to move to a new purpose-built site, the greater fundraising potential for a ‘pure art’ museum, decision to keep the name Imperial War Museum, recollections of interacting with First World War veterans on cruises, difficulties of integrating thematic and chronological approaches within 1989-1990 permanent galleries, importance of the Documents collection and the challenges of displaying items from this, input from Trustees with historical interests, role of technology within permanent galleries, lifespan of permanent galleries, changes to funding within broader museum sector (creation of Heritage Lottery Fund), the Trench Experience (lessons learned from Blitz Experience, recreating smells, discussions about representation/realism/taste and visitor popularity of such exhibitions), the role of Education Department and nationwide interest in IWM from schools, his published work on memorials (1991), importance of emphasising family links for visitors through history, thoughts on planned 2014 IWM London First World War Galleries (including architectural changes and role of digital technology).