Visceral response?
Is there any proof anywhere that a lazer pointer does any damage at all?  The light is present for a very short time much like flash photography.  I have seen no evidence presented that flash photography or a lazer pointer results in any damage.  Museums that do not allow flash
photography will hang a painting near a window in direct sunlight thinking nothing of the damage done. Yet, over time that direct sunlight will destroy the painting.   I have seen the results.  The painted hieroglyphs on the monuments of Egypt fade in the sun, but remain beautifuly
colored on the underside of a lintel, in a tomb, or otherwise protected from the sunlight.
Show me the proof, not a gut feeling.

Ron Fellows

Joel Ayala wrote:

> I second (third) your visceral response -- light bad, dark good.
>
> Also, at our museum, we focus on events dating back as far as the "War of
> Northern Aggression."  We ask kids of all ages to imagine traveling back in
> time to the days when this area was just U.S. Territory.  In some spaces,
> we display material culture from a century ago.  If I were on a tour of
> this historic site and someone whipped-out a friggin light saber, I think
> I'd be a tad distracted.  The anachronism is a striking here, no?
>
> Joel Ayala, Jr./Curatorial Assistant
> AZ State Library, Archives & Public Records/Museum Division
> 1700 West Washington Street
> Phoenix AZ 85007
> Phone: 602.542.4405
> Fax:  602.542.4690
> E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>
> At 04:12 PM 04/20/2000 -0400, you wrote:
> >I agree with your gut reaction.  It is not a good idea, for the reason you
> >mention.
> >Ross Weeks Jr.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Cathy Westfeldt <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 3:54 PM
> >Subject: Use of Laser Pointers
> >
> >
> > > Dear Listerservers:
> > > I had an interesting question come my way today - one for which I don't
> > > have an answer. The Capitol Building here in Salem gives a great many
> > > tours which includes showing all their wonderful murals. They want to
> > > start having their tour guides use laser pointers on the murals during
> > > the tours. My first reaction is this is not a good idea. Light damage is
> > > cumulative. Anybody out there have experience with this type of
> > > situation? Thanks.
> > >
> > > Cathy Westfeldt, CRM
> > > Collection Curator
> > > Hallie Ford Museum of Art
> > > Willamette University
> > > 900 State St.
> > > Salem, OR 97301
> > > (503)370-6867
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> >
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