Two major examples of controversial exhibits about which there is a
heap of literature are "The Spirit Sings" exhibition at Glenbow
Museum in Calgary, Canada, in about 1988-89, and the exhibition "Into
the Heart of Africa" at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto,  Canada.

These shows were controversial for very different reasons, both
became highly politicised, and both make fascinating case studies
about what can go wrong despite the best of intentions of the
curators. Plenty of literature available - try the Canadian Museums
Association journal, "MUSE", for starters (Fall issue 1988 has
something on "The Spirit Sings"), and the Globe and Mail newspaper
archives will have heaps about the "Africa" show.

In New Zealand we have the exhibition "Voices" at the Museum of NZ,
which has received a fair bit of media attention (write to the Museum
of NZ for copies?), and there is currently some controversy
about the exhibitions in the new Museum of NZ (due to open in 1998)
which some critics are claiming will be too "politically-correct" and
privilege Maori and Pacific Island cultures over European-New Zealand
culture. This debate is only just emerging in the mainstream media so
if museum-l'ers are interested, we could keep you informed of
developments?

Hope this is of use...


Greg McManus
Director
Gisborne Museum & Arts Centre
Te Whare Taonga o Te Tairawhiti
PO Box 716
Gisborne
New Zealand