At 08:06 PM 3/21/97 -0500, you wrote:
>We have signs in our museum saying "please do not touch" which then go on
>to explain the long term and invisible problems that moisture, oil, salts,
>acid, etc. from the hand can cause to art work.

The best signs I have seen have, in addition to words, actual demonstration
pieces with the damage done by touching:  bronze etched into fingerprint
patterns, fur worn away, dirty spots, etc.  People really respond to this,
murmuring, "I never knew..." and look more respectful afterwards.  I've seen
this in several institutions

As for the mulberry paper, etc., can you provide a sample they CAN touch?
Maybe a basket full of scraps begged from the paper houses that make it?
Maybe if we provide alternatives, there will be less touching overall.


Julia Moore
Indianapolis Art Center