I'm interested in the fact that the collector "feels compelled" to do this,
and that alone sounds like an exhibit.
Candace Perry
_____
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Selma Thomas
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] exhibiting illegally-obtained dirt?
Thank you for your comments! I've been watching this discussion and
wondering - what about the ethics involved? It's not just a legal issue but
also an ethical one. If a country makes it illegal to export, or import,
organic material, how do museums set themselves above this law? Aren't we
all mindful of the cultural and natural plundering that has taken place for
centuries? Don't we owe those home countries some respect, especially if we
are cultural visitors?
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of BECKER, DAVID
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] exhibiting illegally-obtained dirt?
What is the goal of the exhibit? If the goal is to show differences in dirt
from around the world, then dirt can be obtained through legal and ethical
means.
If the exhibit is about collection and the collecting process, what is the
message that the museum wants to send about the collection process and how
does this particular collection fit in? It could be the basis for an
interesting discussion about the ethics of collection. Those questions could
be raised through other representations of the collection or through other
collections? Does the full collection need to be physically present in the
museum?
I personally don't agree with calling it art as that was not the intent of
the collection or the collector, i.e. it was not done by an artist with an
intent to make art for a stated artistic purpose or message. To call it art
for convenience sake is not in keeping with the artistic discipline that
calling it art would represent.
I guess I see it as a bigger issue than has been presented in the initial
e-mail. If this naturalist had illegally transported a cultural artifact
without permission would that be o.k. to display? If this naturalist had
transported the hide or fur of an animal that had been killed illegally,
would that be ok to display? When I go to a nature center, there are signs
that tell me to take only pictures, and not take anything else with me: Is
it ok for me to ignore those signs for the sake of my personal collection?
Would this same naturalist condone this same behavior if was going to be
conducted on a larger scale by 100 people, or by 1000 people, or by
everyone? I think there are issues and considerations here that go beyond
the issue of whether it is legal or not.
Dave
Dave Becker
Senior Manager of Learning Experiences
Chicago Zoological Society
_____
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Pickering, Bob
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 12:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: exhibiting illegally-obtained dirt?
Whether the dirt is dangerous or not, isn't there an issue of displaying
material that is known to be illegal? Does calling it "art" absolve the
museum of responsibility?
Bob
Robert B. Pickering, PhD
Director of Curatorial Affairs & Public Programs, Gilcrease Museum;
Director, Museum Science and Management, University of Tulsa
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 596-2706 Office
(918) 596-2770 Fax
(918) 805-4780 Cell
[log in to unmask]
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Nina Simon
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 11:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] exhibiting illegally-obtained dirt?
This one is for the museum lawyers and collection management gurus out
there.
For an upcoming temporary exhibition on collections, we would like to show a
collection of vials of dirt that a local naturalist collected on her travels
around the world. The challenge is that much of this dirt was transferred
into the US illegally (i.e. from countries where they are strict about
making sure that organic material doesn't enter or leave the country) or was
obtained with some trespassing (i.e. from celebrities' yards). She is
nervous about exhibiting the dirt in public for this reason.
My sense is that if we can call this art, it might not be a problem.
Frankly, I don't think it's a big problem period - there's no real risk or
danger to the dirt - but I want to learn more about how to address this
issue. Do you know anyone who might have some expertise to bear in this
arena?
Thank you,
Nina
Nina Simon
Executive Director
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
831.429.1964 x7018
Come visit us at 705 Front Street in Santa Cruz
Get involved at www.santacruzmah.org <http://www.santacruzmah.org/> or on
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/santacruzmah>
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