> The Metropolitan Museum offers a giveaway pamphlet with just
> about all of its major temporary exhibitions, it seems to
> me. Of course, they also produce a full-scale catalog, etc.
> They are also who I was thinking about when I wrote about
> the reading room areas. Two of my favorite museum
> experiences there were/are the MANET exhibit and the DEGAS
> exhibit, where, halfway through the exhibition, they had a
> room with couches, tables, and a dozen well-thumbed copies
> of the catalog. What a treat! Also in the Persian Miniature
> room, there are chairs and table height displays. I guess I
> just like sitting. Also at Winterthur, I think, there is a
> solarium off of the newish downstairs (permanent)
> exhibition, in which they have several comfortable chairs,
> and a collection of catalogs and relevant periodicals.
>
> These were highlights of my visits, a chance to relax,
> gather my impressions, and do a little riffling through the
> catalogs. In some cases, I would do some serious reading, in
> some, I would just skim. These rooms gave me a chance to
> see whether I wanted to spring the $$$ for the catalog. Of
> course, if they had some coffee and pastries, then I would
> have found my perfect museum experience.
>
> Eric, I can't agree with you more. When I read the paper, I want to
>sit down. The comfort of the visitor should always come first if we expect
>them to pay attention. It's always interesting working with a client's staff.
>Most of the time in starting a new project, when you ask them what they feel
>should come first, it's some piece of information about X. No, no it's the
>BATHROOMS.
Robert O. Dahl
Museum Consultant Ph:(602) 797-4752
Interpretive Planning and Design Fax: same
8421 N. Via Tioga AOL:[log in to unmask]
Tucson, AZ 85704
internetaddress:[log in to unmask]
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