In our exhibition design class yesterday with Ralph Appelbaum the
discussion centered around using new technology in museums. Though
his firm as been called THE high tech design firm by the Wall Street
Journal Ralph himself can't type and doesn't use a computer.
 
It seems that museum and exhibition designers are focused on
developing and implementing high tech gadgets because that's
what the museum trustees seem to want to lure the new Nintendo
generation into their institutions. I tried to explain the
possibilities of the internet as an added layer to museums that
would connect them to each other and to the public but Ralph
is concerned about people missing out on the experience of
visiting a museum (and, frankly, that's where he makes his
money). I babbled on, he didn't get it because he's not online.
 
Here's your chance to talk to one of the top exhibition/museum
designers in the world. What I'd like are some annecdotes about
how you've used the Internet to improve access to your museum
and/or your professional capabilities. I want to convince him that
making museums accessible will make people want to visit the
"real thing" even more. I'll collect them and give them to him
next week.
 
Please respond to my address and put "DEAR RALPH" in the subject.
If the response is interesting (and I'm sure it will be) I'll
summarize to the list or perhaps make the posts I get available.
 
Robbin Murphy
NYU/Museum Studies
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