On Feb 22, 1996 22:02:35, 'David Harvey <[log in to unmask]>' wrote:


>We need to gently educate both our staffs and visitors as to object
awareness
>and respect and we need to convey very clear & concise information as to
the
>nature of our exhibitions - be they reproduction or original

Interesting in this regard is Tony Bennett's (not the singer) book Birth of
the Museum.  It documents how the institution of the museum in the 19th
century was part of an effort to inculcate an emerging middle class with
the values of the dominant culture.  The process by which this was achieved
included establishing environments (museums, especially) that
architecturally and socially would promote certain forms of behavior over
others.

The author sees these lessons as the state's way of asserting its power and
authority over the masses.  How do the contributors to museum-l view the
function of establishing normative modes of decorum in their museums?
--

Robert A. Baron
Museum Computer Consultant
P.O. Box 93, Larchmont N.Y. 10538
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