Hello fellow listers,

There is a review of Steven C. Dubin's book titled "Displays of Power:
Controversies in the American Museum from the Enola Gay to Sensation,
published by New York Univ. Press in the magazine America. Tom O'Brien
is the reviewer and is formerly of the National Endowment for the
Humanities and is now the managing editor of Arts Education Policy
Review in Washington DC.

One point the reviewer makes is that "in the 'progressive' veiw Dubin
represents, museums are either 'crucibles of change' or the 'pleasant
refuges' of the past. But why either/or? Why can't museums eschew
predommitments to change or the status quo, and simply be educational
institutions--raising questions, but not foreclosing them with
prescribed answeres? Are the only options to hype or ignore harsh
truths--in current lingo, either 'contestation' or 'triumphalism'? Must
the culture wars, in short, become one vast episode of 'Crossfire,'
featuring--'on the left'--half of our national bipolar disorder and--'on
the right'--its idelogical twin."

What say the listers regarding the above statement?!

I have the review in hard copy, but if you want to get an electronic
copy you can go to www.americapress.org and get a copy for $1.50.

Respectfully submitted by

Terri McNichol
Museum Consultant

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