On Fri, 8 Jan 1999 12:45:05 -0500 Christopher Petrik
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Olivia,
>
>In regards to your points, based on my initial research I have found
>that
>there are certain definitions which can be agreed upon:
>-large exhibition
>-objects/artifacts that are unique; usually from various institutions
>-greater staffing and expertise required
>-more money available for marketing
>-greater attendance expected
>-astonishment factor (often an artist's name)
>
>
>However, one thing that I have found difficult to find is who defines
>what a blockbuster is? Curators might base their definition on the
>artifacts, Administrators on the audience, Marketing on the budget
>they have to deal with.

You are probably correct in trying to find out who defines what the
blockbuster is.  Here are some things to chew on:  some times it comes
out of a curator's over expansive ego, and the fact that the work he or
she does is "very important" therefore the project carries this forceful
message by whoever is promoting it; this "force" is then seen by the
trustees and the director to be of such significance that the project
gets annointed as "blockbuster" and it gets tooted to the news media that
way.  Other times it is the decision of the maketing or public relations
department to tout an exhibition as a "blockbuster" so that the news
media can create interest in the public; news groups would rather tout a
"blockbuster" than to print information about smaller, locally based
exhibitions.  It's all about selling.
>
>Does anyone have any opinions as to whether the public can decide
>what a blockbuster is, whether by attendance and interest they can
>turn a large exhibit into a blockbuster.
>
I don't think the public has much say in whether an exhibition is a
blockbuster or not, however, large attendance records can tell the museum
if they have a blockbuster on their hands; then when they find attendance
went up in the week the show opened, they can relay that to the news
media and they in turn publicize your "blockbuster" in in the press, with
the probable result that you'll get more people showing up!!!

>Or are blockbusters products of the museum, marketed and promoted by
>the institution to the public?

It's all related!  It's a beast that feeds on itself and it leaves the
staff so worn out they never want to work in a museum ever again!  But we
have enfeebled minds, so we forget to go, we stay.

>
>Christopher
>
O
RNLB
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224

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