The Powerhouse in Sydney has a new exhibition entitled "Ageing with
attitude: the private lives of museum objects".  This is an exhibition that
attempts to explain the debates over conservation of objects including live
demonstrations by in-house conservators.  Objects displayed include a
Japanese Shrine and a 1905 REO motor car illustrate the museum's diverse
collections and the skills required to keep the objects from falling apart.
 It is an attempt to go behind the scenes in the museum without the problems
of running a tour of the conservation department.  Just one approach
enlightening the public.

Geraldine Rodwell
Reference Librarian
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia
 ----------
From: daemon
To: MUSEUM-L
Subject: Re: Public perceptions of collections and research
Date: Sunday, 17 November 1996 2:40PM

Regarding Eugene W. Dillenburg's comments/questions:

>Does our audience
>have the "right" to know what goes on behind the scenes?  A "need" to know?
>A desire to know?  Have other museums tackled these issues before?  Has any
>museum attempted this sort of self-explanation in exhibits or programs; and
>if so, what were the results?