Henry B. Crawford ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
: Art museum labels, sad to say, generally don't tell you anything beyond
: name, title, and medium.  They're not interpretive.  Art museums probably
: assume the visitor knows everything else, and that's really a shame.

Henry, I think you are being a little too harsh on art museums.  From my
understanding, art museum labels often provide nothing but the vital
information to cater to those not interested in anything beyond the 'I
like it, I don't like it' viewers.  Those interested in more must make
that extra 'effort' of reading more on their own, because art museums are
intimidated by those viewers who do not care to know anything beyond the
appearance of a painting, sculpture, etc.
And ask yourself if history museums always provide more information about
the artifacts displayed...usually not.  There is a blurb at the beginning
of an exhibition, and sometimes at the end...no more and no less than the
average art museum.

-- Joshua Heuman
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