Candace,

From the posting it sounds like this is the Artist's show - in terms of what is selected and how it is displayed. If this is so then he pretty much has the freedom to display what he considers important. If this is not the artist's show and is being curated by someone else then that is entirely a different matter and what ends up on exhibit falls under the purview of the exhibiton's intent and the policies of your institution.

Also, is the exhibit about the art work or about the life of the artist as well?

If you are in a position where the artist's decisions are driving the show then you might have to take a deep breath and be prepared to take the issues invovled in this head on. You might be able to interpret this personal issue as a "controversy" and present both points of view in how you interpret it.

I remember the storm that blew up back in the early 1990's when Colonial Williamsburg held a slave aution reenactment. And the management, much to their credit, stuck by the staff.

It can be a very valuable (yet stressful) opportunity to raise issues in exhibits and musuems that touch a nerve with deeply held feelings invovled in current societal issues. The conversation should not be about what your institution is doing, but in presenting the facts and the various points of view that arise from them.

If the artist's certificates will be going on exhibit then I would certainly alert your board about it in advance of the public opening - and perhaps they might be helpful in navigating the stickiness of it all.

Best Wishes!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, CA  USA

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).